City Comparison
Mesa vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mesa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mesa
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Mesa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mesa's average rent is
69% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Mesa | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $1,123 | +69% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $130 | +77% |
| Monthly Total | $2,830 | $2,586 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 5% 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 Mesa is estimated at
$58,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Mesa | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $69,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,408 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $82,752 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mesa runs warmer on average — a 76.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mesa comes out ahead with 326 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mesa sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mesa | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 105.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 13.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 326 | |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Mesa.
Mesa 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 | Mesa | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mesa is the larger city
— approximately 2.7x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Mesa 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 | Mesa | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 513,656 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.43% | — |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mesa
Advantages
Average rent sits at $1,900 per month as of late 2026 per Zillow data, offering competitive rates compared to neighboring coastal or West Coast metros.
Mesa features over 326 sunny days per year, providing an ideal climate for outdoor enthusiasts and active lifestyles.
The city's median household income has grown steadily to roughly $82,752 per the U.S. Census Bureau.
Extensive investments in the Falcon Field and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway airport corridors continue to spur high-paying advanced manufacturing and aerospace jobs.
World-class recreational escapes like Usery Mountain Regional Park and the Salt River offer immediate access to hiking, kayaking, and desert scenery.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer high temperatures averaging 105.5°F make outdoor daytime activities challenging during peak summer months.
Heavy car dependency across Mesa's 142 square miles can lead to localized rush-hour congestion on major freeways.
Rapid population growth has driven up housing and property values, placing a strain on first-time home buyers.
Regional air quality during certain winter atmospheric inversions can experience elevated particulate pollution levels.
Public transit coverage outside of the light rail corridor and major bus lines can be limited for car-free commuters.
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.
Mesa
#274Arizona, USA
61.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,900
Avg Salary
$69,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
326/yr
Avg Temp
76.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.43%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
75
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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