City Comparison
Marshalltown vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Marshalltown scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Marshalltown
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Marshalltown is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
34% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Marshalltown's average rent is
24% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,123 | -24% |
| Groceries | $370 | $742 | -50% |
| Utilities | $165 | $234 | -29% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $130 | +69% |
| Monthly Total | $1,715 | $2,586 | -34% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 29% 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 Marshalltown is estimated at
$42,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $55,400 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Marshalltown runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Marshalltown comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Marshalltown sees 26.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 26.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Marshalltown has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Marshalltown scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Marshalltown leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Marshalltown.
From a growth perspective, Marshalltown is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,500 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Marshalltown
Advantages
Median home prices in Marshalltown are substantially lower than the national average per US Census Bureau data.
Average commute times are exceptionally short at under 20 minutes.
A revitalized downtown district offers local dining, community events, and cultural festivals.
Strong local manufacturing and healthcare sectors provide steady employment opportunities.
Abundant parks and recreational areas support an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation options create a high reliance on personal vehicles.
Severe weather events, including tornadoes and winter storms, occasionally impact the region.
Fewer entertainment and nightlife options compared to larger metropolitan areas like Des Moines.
Average household incomes trail state and national benchmarks.
Opportunities for remote tech and corporate careers locally are relatively sparse.
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.
Marshalltown
#212Iowa, USA
63.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
73
Business
67
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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