City Comparison
North Providence vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
North Providence scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Providence
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | North Providence | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,123 | +47% |
| Groceries | $420 | $742 | -43% |
| Utilities | $170 | $234 | -27% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $130 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,590 | $2,586 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 7% 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 North Providence is estimated at
$58,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | North Providence | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $76,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
North Providence runs warmer on average — a 51.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, North Providence comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — North Providence sees 18.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | North Providence | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to North Providence.
North Providence scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, North Providence leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | North Providence | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of North Providence.
From a growth perspective, North Providence 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 | North Providence | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,075 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
North Providence
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates offer a more accessible entry point than core Boston or downtown Providence markets per Zillow data.
Direct in-town presence of Our Lady of Fatima Hospital provides exceptional local healthcare access.
Strategic geographic location offers a quiet suburban atmosphere just minutes from downtown Providence.
Active local parks and recreation facilities, including Governor Notte Park, enhance outdoor lifestyle options.
Thriving local dining and retail corridors along Mineral Spring Avenue foster a strong community feel.
Drawbacks
Property tax rates in Rhode Island can present a notable financial burden for homeowners.
Car dependency is relatively high, as public transit options outside of primary bus lines are limited.
Regional commuter traffic during peak morning and evening hours on major arteries can cause delays.
Limited large-scale industrial or corporate headquarters directly within town limits constrains local job diversity.
Inventory for single-family home purchases can be tight, driving competitive bidding scenarios.
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.
North Providence
#376Rhode Island, USA
59.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
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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