City Comparison
Layton vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Layton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Layton
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Layton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Layton's average rent is
29% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Layton | 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 | 98 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 6% 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 Layton is estimated at
$58,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Layton | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,500 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,898 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $88,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Layton runs warmer on average — a 52.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Layton comes out ahead with 297 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Layton sees 53.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Layton | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 22.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 53.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 297 | |
| Humidity | 52.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Layton.
Layton 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 | Layton | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Layton.
From a growth perspective, Layton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Layton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Layton | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 83,445 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.90% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Layton
Advantages
Proximity to Hill Air Force Base provides a stable and high-paying employment base in aerospace and defense.
Direct access to the UTA FrontRunner commuter rail offers convenient transit to Salt Lake City and Ogden.
Low crime rates and safe neighborhoods make it an ideal location for raising families.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities with immediate access to the Wasatch Mountains and local parks.
Strong school district performance and educational resources within Davis County.
Drawbacks
Housing affordability has declined due to rapid population growth and rising home prices along the Wasatch Front.
High reliance on automobiles leads to traffic congestion on Interstate 15 during peak commuting hours.
Winter inversions can occasionally trap particulate matter in the valley, affecting local air quality.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to nearby Salt Lake City.
Property tax adjustments and municipal costs rising in response to rapid suburban expansion.
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.
Layton
#75Utah, USA
69.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,500
Cost Index
98
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
297/yr
Avg Temp
52.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
79
Business
72
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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