City Comparison
Kailua vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kailua scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kailua
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
49% lower than in Kailua.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kailua's average rent is
237% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Kailua | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,790 | $1,123 | +237% |
| Groceries | $600 | $742 | -19% |
| Utilities | $220 | $234 | -6% |
| Transport | $150 | $357 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $130 | +131% |
| Monthly Total | $5,060 | $2,586 | +96% |
| Cost Index | 175 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kailua offers 7% higher 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 Kailua is estimated at
$95,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Kailua | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $95,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 44,571 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $148,582 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kailua runs warmer on average — a 76.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kailua comes out ahead with 94 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kailua sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kailua | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 68.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 48.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 94 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Kailua.
Kailua scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kailua leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kailua | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Kailua.
From a growth perspective, Kailua is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kailua has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kailua | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,640 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.22% | — |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.70% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kailua
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $148,582 per year, reflecting a prosperous local economy.
Proximity to world-renowned white-sand beaches like Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach for daily outdoor recreation.
Maintains a low property crime rate and exceptional community safety compared to larger urban centers.
Vibrant local small-business culture featuring organic farmers' markets, boutique shops, and local dining.
Strong sense of community engagement centered around environmental stewardship and coastal preservation.
Drawbacks
Median home values exceed $1.3M, making homeownership severely cost-prohibitive.
Average monthly rent prices remain extraordinarily high, averaging around $5,695 for available market listings.
High cost of living driven by steep transportation and shipping expenses for everyday consumer goods.
Daily commuter bottlenecks along key mountain pass routes heading into Urban Honolulu.
Limited geographic expansion space restricts new housing development and inventory growth.
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.
Kailua
#470Hawaii, USA
54.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,790
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
175
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
94/yr
Avg Temp
76.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.22%
Unemployment
2.70%
Livability
88
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
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