City Comparison
Naperville vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Naperville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Naperville
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Naperville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Naperville's average rent is
74% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Naperville | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,123 | +74% |
| Groceries | $460 | $742 | -38% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $130 | $357 | -64% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $130 | +77% |
| Monthly Total | $2,945 | $2,586 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Naperville offers 16% 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 Naperville is estimated at
$70,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Naperville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $85,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,672 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $145,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Naperville runs warmer on average — a 51.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Naperville comes out ahead with 250 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Naperville sees 26.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Naperville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 26.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Naperville.
Naperville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Naperville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Naperville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Naperville.
From a growth perspective, Naperville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Naperville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,540 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Naperville
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the top public school districts in Illinois per Niche 2024 data
Extremely low crime rates and high safety profile relative to national averages per FBI crime reports
Vibrant downtown area featuring the scenic Riverwalk, local dining, and boutique shopping
Direct commuter rail service to downtown Chicago via the Metra BNSF line
Strong local economy with high median household incomes well above the national baseline
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national average
Elevated property taxes characteristic of the Chicago collar counties
High level of car dependency outside of the immediate downtown district
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major corridors like Route 59 and I-88
Cold and snowy winter climate requiring substantial seasonal maintenance
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.
Naperville
#223Illinois, USA
63.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$85,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
90
Business
80
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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