City Comparison
Mountain Home vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mountain Home scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mountain Home
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mountain Home is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mountain Home's average rent is
11% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,123 | +11% |
| Groceries | $380 | $742 | -49% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $115 | $357 | -68% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $130 | +77% |
| Monthly Total | $2,150 | $2,586 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 21% 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 Mountain Home is estimated at
$48,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $59,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mountain Home runs warmer on average — a 55.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mountain Home comes out ahead with 296 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mountain Home sees 22.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 29.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 296 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Mountain Home scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Mountain Home.
From a growth perspective, Mountain Home is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,000 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mountain Home
Advantages
Significantly lower housing costs and overall cost of living compared to nearby Boise and the national average
Strong local economy anchored by the Mountain Home Air Force Base providing career stability
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities nearby, including fishing, boating at CJ Strike Reservoir, and mountain access
Low crime rates and a safe, family-friendly community atmosphere
Easy access to metropolitan amenities in Boise via a convenient drive on Interstate 84
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation infrastructure, resulting in high car dependency
Extreme summer high temperatures typical of the high desert climate
Fewer local entertainment, dining, and cultural options compared to larger cities
Economic reliance on the military installation can create unique housing market fluctuations
Limited local higher education institutions within the immediate city limits
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.
Mountain Home
#150Idaho, USA
65.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
296/yr
Avg Temp
55.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
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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