City Comparison
Old Bridge vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Old Bridge scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Old Bridge
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Old Bridge.
Housing costs are a major driver: Old Bridge's average rent is
104% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Old Bridge | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,287 | $1,123 | +104% |
| Groceries | $460 | $742 | -38% |
| Utilities | $195 | $234 | -17% |
| Transport | $140 | $357 | -61% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $130 | +77% |
| Monthly Total | $3,312 | $2,586 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 124 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Old Bridge offers 7% 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 Old Bridge is estimated at
$65,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Old Bridge | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,903 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $104,587 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Old Bridge runs warmer on average — a 55.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Old Bridge comes out ahead with 254 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Old Bridge sees 15.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Old Bridge | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Old Bridge.
Old Bridge 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 | Old Bridge | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Old Bridge.
From a growth perspective, Old Bridge 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 | Old Bridge | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,634 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.58% | — |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Old Bridge
Advantages
Median homeownership rate stands at a robust 73.9% per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Proximity to Cheesequake State Park provides expansive local outdoor recreation and green space.
Violent and property crime rates remain significantly lower than the national average.
Strategic location along major transit corridors like Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway.
High median household income reflecting a strong local professional demographic.
Drawbacks
Average one-way commute times exceed 33 minutes due to regional traffic congestion.
Overall cost of living and property taxes are notably higher than the national average.
High reliance on personal vehicles with limited internal public transit walkability.
Competitive housing market with limited rental inventory driving up average rents.
High exposure to regional traffic bottlenecks during peak commuting hours.
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.
Old Bridge
#366New Jersey, USA
59.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,287
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
124
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
55.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.58%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
79
Business
70
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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