City Comparison
Oshawa vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Oshawa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Oshawa
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Oshawa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Oshawa's average rent is
38% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Oshawa | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,123 | +38% |
| Groceries | $420 | $742 | -43% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $130 | +69% |
| Monthly Total | $2,475 | $2,586 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 21% 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 Oshawa is estimated at
$50,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Oshawa | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $74,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Oshawa runs warmer on average — a 46.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Oshawa comes out ahead with 234 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Oshawa sees 53 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Oshawa | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 53.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 234 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Oshawa.
Oshawa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Oshawa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Oshawa | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Oshawa.
From a growth perspective, Oshawa 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 | Oshawa | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 175,383 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | — |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Oshawa
Advantages
Significantly more affordable housing options compared to downtown Toronto and Peel Region.
Direct commuter access to Toronto via GO Transit rail and Highway 401.
Home to reputable post-secondary institutions including Ontario Tech University and Durham College.
Abundant green spaces, including extensive waterfront trails along Lake Ontario.
Robust regional healthcare infrastructure anchored by Lakeridge Health.
Drawbacks
High commuter traffic congestion along Highway 401 during peak morning and evening hours.
Downtown core faces ongoing social challenges related to homelessness and support services.
Property taxes are relatively high compared to some neighboring municipalities.
Public transit outside of major arterial routes can require lengthy travel times.
Rental vacancy rates remain tight due to high regional demand.
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.
Oshawa
#41Ontario, Canada
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
234/yr
Avg Temp
46.80°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
75
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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