Performance
Score Breakdown
Olympia
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
9% higher compared to Olympia.
Housing costs are a major driver: Olympia's average rent is
60% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Olympia | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,123 | +60% |
| Groceries | $420 | $742 | -43% |
| Utilities | $216 | $234 | -8% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,806 | $2,586 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 113 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 10% 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 Olympia is estimated at
$75,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Olympia | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $80,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,796 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $81,302 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Olympia | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Olympia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Olympia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Olympia | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Olympia.
From a growth perspective, Olympia 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 | Olympia | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,869 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.70% | % |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Olympia
Advantages
Olympia's projected population growth rate of 1.7% for 2026 indicates a growing and dynamic community.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, along with extensive outdoor recreational opportunities due to its natural surroundings.
Utility costs in Olympia are approximately 10% lower than the national average, providing some financial relief to residents.
The average commute time of 20 minutes is relatively short compared to many larger metropolitan areas.
Olympia's median household income of $81,302 in 2024 is higher than the national median, supporting a comfortable lifestyle for many residents.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Olympia is 13% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing expenses.
Average rent for apartments in Olympia increased by 6% year-over-year as of June 2026, indicating rising housing costs.
Healthcare costs in Olympia are significantly higher, approximately 24% above the national average.
Transportation expenses are 28% higher than the national average, impacting daily budgets for commuters.
The unemployment rate in Olympia was 4.8% in April 2026, slightly higher 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.
Olympia
#14Washington, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$80,000
Cost Index
113
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.70%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
80
Business
70
Akron
#101Ohio, 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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