City Comparison
Newtownabbey vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Newtownabbey scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Newtownabbey
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Newtownabbey is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Newtownabbey's average rent is
15% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Newtownabbey | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,123 | -15% |
| Groceries | $380 | $742 | -49% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $130 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $1,765 | $2,586 | -32% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 48% 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 Newtownabbey is estimated at
$32,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Newtownabbey | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $38,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $32,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,718 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $41,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Newtownabbey runs warmer on average — a 50.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Newtownabbey comes out ahead with 186 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Newtownabbey sees 2.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Newtownabbey | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 186 | |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Newtownabbey.
Newtownabbey scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Newtownabbey leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Newtownabbey | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Newtownabbey.
From a growth perspective, Newtownabbey 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 | Newtownabbey | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,000 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Newtownabbey
Advantages
Housing affordability remains significantly better than central Belfast and major British cities.
Excellent transport links via rail, bus network, and the M2 motorway provide fast access to Belfast.
Proximity to Belfast Lough and scenic natural attractions like Cave Hill offers great outdoor recreation.
Strong local commercial hubs including retail parks and the Abbey Centre provide convenient shopping.
Reputable educational infrastructure including local schools and proximity to university facilities.
Drawbacks
High reliance on private vehicles for navigating certain suburban pockets outside major transit corridors.
Peak traffic congestion along the M2 corridor during morning and evening commutes.
Limited standalone nightlife and entertainment options within the town itself, requiring trips to Belfast.
Variable public transit frequency in specific outlying residential townlands.
Local property market subject to wider regional economic pressures and inflation.
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.
Newtownabbey
#2Northern Ireland, UK
66.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$38,000
Cost Index
78
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
186/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
68
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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