City Comparison
Malden vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Malden scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Malden
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Malden.
Housing costs are a major driver: Malden's average rent is
109% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Malden | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $1,123 | +109% |
| Groceries | $460 | $742 | -38% |
| Utilities | $185 | $234 | -21% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $130 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $3,365 | $2,586 | +30% |
| Cost Index | 138 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 1% 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 Malden is estimated at
$68,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Malden | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,174 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $100,606 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Malden runs warmer on average — a 50.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Malden comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Malden sees 25.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Malden | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Malden.
Malden scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Malden leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Malden | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 53.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 73.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Malden.
From a growth perspective, Malden is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Malden has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Malden | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,452 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.12% | — |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Malden
Advantages
Median household income in Malden has risen to $100,606 per U.S. Census Bureau data, reflecting a strong local economy.
Direct MBTA Orange Line subway access at Malden Center and Oak Grove stations provides a rapid commute into downtown Boston.
Malden achieves a strong Walk Score of 73, making its central district very walkable for daily errands.
A celebrated and diverse culinary scene featuring rich international dining options downtown.
More accessible real estate entry points compared to immediate neighbors like Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville.
Drawbacks
Housing market competition is fierce, with typical home values elevated around $680,000.
Cost of living index sits well above the national average, driven primarily by housing and energy costs.
Parking and street congestion can be challenging during peak commuting hours in densely populated sectors.
Bike infrastructure is still developing, reflected in a moderate Bike Score of 49.
Property tax adjustments and regional inflation continue to pressure local household budgets.
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.
Malden
#509Massachusetts, USA
52.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
138
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
53.0/100
Walkability
73.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.12%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
77
Business
71
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Malden and Akron.
Open Cost Calculator