Performance
Score Breakdown
Omaha
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Omaha is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
7% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Omaha's average rent is
29% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Omaha | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,123 | +29% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $2,586 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 10% 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 Omaha is estimated at
$55,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Omaha | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,465 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,158 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $73,201 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Omaha | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Omaha 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 | Omaha | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 47.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Omaha is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Omaha is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Omaha has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Omaha | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 494,169 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.84% | % |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.90% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Omaha
Advantages
The cost of living in Omaha is 8.1% lower than the U.S. average, making it highly affordable.
Omaha boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.9% as of May 2026, indicating a strong job market.
The average commute time is relatively short at 19.6 minutes in 2024.
Median household income was $73,201 in 2024, reflecting healthy earning potential.
The city has a diverse and growing economy driven by key sectors like healthcare, finance, and education.
Drawbacks
Omaha has a 'Car-Dependent' Walk Score of 47 and 'Minimal Transit' Transit Score of 30, indicating limited public transportation and walkability options.
Assisted living costs in Omaha, at $6,150 per month in 2024, are higher than the state average.
The city experienced a slight population decline of 0.6% from April 2020 to mid-2025 according to one estimate, though other projections show growth.
While generally safe, like any major city, crime rates can be a concern in specific areas.
Specific job growth rates and new business formation rates for 2024+ were not consistently available, making it difficult to quantify recent economic momentum.
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.
Omaha
#22Nebraska, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$65,465
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
47.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
74
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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