Performance
Score Breakdown
Kunming
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kunming is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
74% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kunming's average rent is
79% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Kunming | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $234 | $1,123 | -79% |
| Groceries | $187 | $742 | -75% |
| Utilities | $53 | $234 | -77% |
| Transport | $37 | $357 | -90% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $130 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $661 | $2,586 | -74% |
| Cost Index | 31 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 74% 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 Kunming is estimated at
$10,368 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Kunming | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $19,261 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $10,368 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,132 idx | 85,882 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kunming | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 71.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,000 minutes (150 hours) per year compared to Kunming.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kunming | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 40 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kunming is the larger city
— approximately 32x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Kunming 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 | Kunming | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,061,121 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.21% | % |
| Median Age | 36.9 | |
| Unemployment | 4.62% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $128.1B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kunming
Advantages
Kunming boasts a mild, spring-like climate year-round, earning it the nickname "City of Eternal Spring."
The cost of living in Kunming is relatively affordable compared to other major Chinese cities, with average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center at $234 as of August 2026.
The city has a high safety index of 85 as of 2026, indicating a very secure living environment.
Kunming is a significant economic and transportation hub, serving as a gateway to Southeast and South Asia.
The city is a major center for scientific research and education, listed among the top 100 cities globally for scientific research output in 2024.
Drawbacks
Specific, up-to-date data for certain metrics like median household income, unemployment rate, and median age for Kunming are not readily available from reliable sources.
While public transport is available, detailed transit and walkability scores are not widely published.
The average individual salary in Kunming, while covering living expenses, is lower than in some first-tier Chinese cities.
Summer months experience frequent and heavy rainfall, which can impact outdoor activities.
Despite its mild climate, winter nights can experience freezing temperatures, and occasional freak snowfalls can occur.
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.
Kunming
#1Yunnan, China
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$234
Avg Salary
$19,261
Cost Index
31
Commute
40 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.21%
Unemployment
4.62%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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