Performance
Score Breakdown
Kingsport
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kingsport is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
46% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kingsport's average rent is
25% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Kingsport | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,400 | $1,123 | +25% |
| Groceries | $0 | $742 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $234 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $357 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $130 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,400 | $2,586 | -46% |
| Cost Index | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Kingsport | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $66,000 |
| Household Income | $52,490 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kingsport | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 72.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kingsport has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Akron.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kingsport | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Kingsport.
From a growth perspective, Kingsport is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kingsport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kingsport | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,479 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | % |
| Median Age | 43.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kingsport
Advantages
The overall crime rate in Kingsport is 46% below the national average as of July 2026.
Kingsport's cost of living is significantly lower than the national average.
The average commute time in Kingsport is 19.1 minutes, shorter than the national average.
Kingsport City Schools are highly rated and offer an academically progressive educational platform.
The city offers abundant parks and recreational opportunities, contributing to a high quality of life.
Drawbacks
Kingsport's job growth, while positive, is heavily reliant on a few sectors like healthcare, which could pose challenges if those sectors slow down nationally.
Despite overall safety, some areas of Kingsport have higher crime rates than others.
The city's unemployment rate is 5.3%, which is higher than the national average.
Kingsport has a notable poverty rate, with 15.7% of families living in poverty.
Public transit services, while available, are not as highly rated as ease of travel by car.
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.
Kingsport
#67Tennessee, USA
69.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
69
Business
0
Akron
#102Ohio, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$73,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
65
Business
55
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