City Comparison
Muncie vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Muncie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Muncie
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Muncie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Muncie's average rent is
24% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Muncie | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,123 | -24% |
| Groceries | $380 | $742 | -49% |
| Utilities | $170 | $234 | -27% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $130 | +62% |
| Monthly Total | $1,720 | $2,586 | -33% |
| 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 Muncie is estimated at
$42,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Muncie | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $45,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Muncie runs warmer on average — a 52.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Muncie comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Muncie sees 20.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Muncie | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Muncie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Muncie 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 | Muncie | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Muncie.
From a growth perspective, Muncie 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 | Muncie | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 65,132 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Muncie
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Presence of Ball State University brings cultural events, art galleries, and Division I athletics to the local community.
Extensive outdoor recreation opportunities via the Cardinal Greenway trail system.
Short average commute times with minimal traffic congestion compared to larger metro areas.
Robust healthcare infrastructure anchored by IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.
Drawbacks
Violent and property crime rates in certain neighborhoods exceed national averages.
Local median household incomes lag behind the national average.
Limited high-paying career opportunities outside of healthcare, education, and light manufacturing.
Winters can be cold and snowy, typical of the central Indiana climate.
Public transit options are limited outside of core bus routes and university shuttles.
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.
Muncie
#483Indiana, USA
53.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
52.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
69
Business
64
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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