City Comparison
Monterrey vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Monterrey scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Monterrey
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Monterrey is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
38% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Monterrey's average rent is
15% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Monterrey | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,123 | -15% |
| Groceries | $320 | $742 | -57% |
| Utilities | $110 | $234 | -53% |
| Transport | $75 | $357 | -79% |
| Healthcare | $140 | $130 | +8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,595 | $2,586 | -38% |
| Cost Index | 52 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 80% 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 Monterrey is estimated at
$12,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Monterrey | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,500 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $12,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 27,885 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $18,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Monterrey runs warmer on average — a 73.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Monterrey comes out ahead with 284 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Monterrey sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Monterrey | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 73.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 92.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 48.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 284 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Monterrey.
Monterrey scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Monterrey leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Monterrey | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Monterrey is the larger city
— approximately 6x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Monterrey is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Monterrey has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Monterrey | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,142,994 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | — |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Monterrey
Advantages
Leading industrial and manufacturing hub in Mexico with exceptional career opportunities in engineering and corporate management
Home to world-class private healthcare facilities and internationally accredited hospitals attracting medical tourists
Proximity to dramatic natural landscapes including Chipinque Ecological Park and the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains
Presence of top-tier educational institutions like the Tecnológico de Monterrey fostering innovation and startup ecosystems
High standard of living and modern commercial infrastructure in premier districts like San Pedro Garza García
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national Mexican average
Heavy reliance on automobiles leading to notable traffic congestion during peak hours
Extreme summer high temperatures averaging 92.7°F that can strain municipal water and energy resources
Limited annual rainfall of 17.9 inches presenting periodic regional water scarcity challenges
Urban sprawl creating disparate walkability and transit access across suburban municipalities
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.
Monterrey
#5Nuevo León, Mexico
82.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$14,500
Cost Index
52
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
284/yr
Avg Temp
73.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
82
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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