City Comparison
Independence vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Independence scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Independence
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Independence is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Independence's average rent is
29% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Independence | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,123 | +29% |
| Groceries | $420 | $742 | -43% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $130 | $357 | -64% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $130 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,415 | $2,586 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 7% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Akron delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Independence is estimated at
$52,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Independence | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,833 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $82,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Independence runs warmer on average — a 54.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Independence comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Independence sees 23.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Independence | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 23.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 48.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Independence.
Independence scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Independence | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Independence.
From a growth perspective, Independence is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Akron has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Independence | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,079 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Independence
Advantages
Violent and property crime rates are significantly lower than the national average per FBI crime data.
Median home prices offer better square footage value compared to downtown Cincinnati and nearby major hubs.
Access to well-maintained local parks and recreation spaces, including Memorial Park.
Consistent and strong community safety profile ideal for raising families and retirees.
Proximity to the Greater Cincinnati job market while maintaining a quiet suburban atmosphere.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options within city limits.
Limited local nightlife and high-end dining options directly inside the city.
Commuting during peak rush hours along major corridors like US-17 can experience delays.
Inventory for rental apartments can be competitive due to high demand for single-family homes.
Local commercial development is still expanding, requiring travel outside the city for major retail shopping.
Akron
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Akron is 15% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable city.
Housing costs are significantly lower than the national average, with average monthly rent at $1,123 and median home prices around $153,000.
Akron has a diverse economy with strong industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and the polymer sector.
The city offers a public transportation system (METRO RTA) with affordable monthly passes at $50.
Healthcare costs in Akron are approximately 14% lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Akron has a high crime rate, with an overall crime rate 50% above the national average and a safety grade of C-.
The city is experiencing a projected population decline of -0.9% annually.
Akron has a negative job growth rate, with a 0.461% decline in employed population in 2024.
The lifestyle in Akron is largely car-dependent, with most errands requiring a vehicle and an average Walk Score of 48.
The median household income of $48,076 in 2024 is below the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Independence
#45Kentucky, USA
70.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
54.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
80
Business
68
Akron
#575Ohio, USA
46.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$73,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
65
Business
55
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Independence and Akron.
Open Cost Calculator