City Comparison
Madisonville vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Madisonville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Madisonville
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madisonville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
36% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Madisonville's average rent is
24% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Madisonville | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,123 | -24% |
| Groceries | $350 | $742 | -53% |
| Utilities | $160 | $234 | -32% |
| Transport | $100 | $357 | -72% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $130 | +54% |
| Monthly Total | $1,660 | $2,586 | -36% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 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 Madisonville is estimated at
$42,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Madisonville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $47,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Madisonville runs warmer on average — a 59.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Madisonville comes out ahead with 242 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Madisonville sees 11.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Madisonville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 28.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 53.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 11.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 242 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Madisonville 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 | Madisonville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Madisonville.
From a growth perspective, Madisonville 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 | Madisonville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,250 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Madisonville
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and rental costs are substantially below the US national average.
Mahr Park Arboretum provides over 260 acres of premier outdoor recreation, trails, and green space.
Strategic location along Interstate 69 offers convenient regional connectivity to major economic centers.
Baptist Health Madisonville serves as a robust regional medical hub with extensive specialty care.
A strong sense of community and family-oriented neighborhoods with low traffic congestion.
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation infrastructure and low walkability scores outside downtown.
Local median household income trails behind the national average, limiting high-wage career options.
Summer months experience high humidity levels and consistent heat reaching the upper 80s.
Transitioning local economy requires continued diversification away from legacy industrial sectors.
Limited nightlife, entertainment venues, and dining options compared to larger metropolitan areas.
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.
Madisonville
#314Kentucky, USA
60.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
242/yr
Avg Temp
59.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
60
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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