City Comparison
Laurel vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Laurel scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Laurel
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Laurel is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Laurel's average rent is
20% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Laurel | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,123 | +20% |
| Groceries | $380 | $742 | -49% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $140 | $357 | -61% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $130 | +77% |
| Monthly Total | $2,275 | $2,586 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 34% 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 Laurel is estimated at
$45,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Laurel | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,174 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $51,200 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Laurel runs warmer on average — a 57°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Laurel comes out ahead with 242 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Laurel sees 20.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Laurel | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 242 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Laurel.
Laurel scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Laurel leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Laurel | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Laurel 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 | Laurel | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,200 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | — |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Laurel
Advantages
Median home prices and rent are significantly lower than the national average per recent Zillow and Census data.
Rich historic character featuring one of the largest collections of 18th and 19th-century homes in Delaware.
Proximity to natural attractions like Trap Pond State Park and Broad Creek for outdoor recreation.
Convenient driving distance to Delmarva beaches and major employment hubs in Maryland and Delaware.
Tight-knit, family-oriented community atmosphere with active local civic events.
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation infrastructure within the town limits.
Local job market within town is somewhat restricted, requiring commutes for higher-paying professional roles.
Limited local dining and nightlife options directly inside the immediate historic district.
Sussex County property development pressures are beginning to impact local rural aesthetics and traffic on US-13.
Access to specialized medical care requires traveling outside of town to neighboring cities.
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.
Laurel
#327Delaware, USA
60.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
242/yr
Avg Temp
57.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
65
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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