Performance
Score Breakdown
Newark
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% higher compared to Newark.
Housing costs are a major driver: Newark's average rent is
47% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Newark | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,649 | $1,123 | +47% |
| Groceries | $409 | $742 | -45% |
| Utilities | $371 | $234 | +59% |
| Transport | $351 | $357 | -2% |
| Healthcare | $139 | $130 | +7% |
| Monthly Total | $2,919 | $2,586 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 30% 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 Newark is estimated at
$51,960 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Newark | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,024 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $51,960 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,136 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $76,912 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Newark | 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
Newark has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Newark scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Newark leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Newark | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Newark.
From a growth perspective, Newark is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Newark has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Newark | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 30,311 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 22.1 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Newark
Advantages
Home to Christiana Hospital, Delaware's only Level I trauma center, ensuring high-quality healthcare access.
The University of Delaware provides extensive educational opportunities and a vibrant cultural scene.
Median household income of $76,912 in 2024 is competitive.
Relatively affordable compared to nearby major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and New York.
Average commute time is relatively short at 19 minutes.
Drawbacks
The city's population is projected to be declining at an annual rate of -0.16% in 2026.
Newark has a high poverty rate of 27.73%.
Housing costs are 10.5% higher than the national average.
The median age of 22.1 years suggests a transient student population, potentially impacting long-term community stability.
Utilities and groceries are slightly more expensive than the national average.
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.
Newark
#23Delaware, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,649
Avg Salary
$51,024
Cost Index
106
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
74
Business
68
Akron
#102Ohio, 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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