Performance
Score Breakdown
Moscow
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
48% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Moscow's average rent is
19% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Moscow | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,338 | $1,123 | +19% |
| Groceries | $0 | $742 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $234 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $357 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $130 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,338 | $2,586 | -48% |
| Cost Index | 111 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moscow offers 4% higher 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 Moscow is estimated at
$84,360 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Moscow | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $84,360 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,468 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $57,022 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Moscow | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Moscow scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Moscow | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 48.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Moscow.
From a growth perspective, Moscow is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Moscow | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,286 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | % |
| Median Age | 25.7 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
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.
Moscow
#15Idaho, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
Akron
#123Ohio, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$73,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
65
Business
55
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