City Comparison
Peoria vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Peoria scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Peoria
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Peoria.
Housing costs are a major driver: Peoria's average rent is
62% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Peoria | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,817 | $1,123 | +62% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $130 | +69% |
| Monthly Total | $2,737 | $2,586 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 1% 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 Peoria is estimated at
$60,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Peoria | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,903 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $95,815 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Peoria runs warmer on average — a 76.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Peoria comes out ahead with 322 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Peoria sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Peoria | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 105.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 14.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 322 | |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Peoria.
Peoria 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 | Peoria | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Peoria is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Peoria 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 | Peoria | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,881 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.84% | — |
| Median Age | 41.7 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Peoria
Advantages
Named Best City for Business by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 2026.
Home to Amkor Technology's $7 billion advanced semiconductor campus creating thousands of high-wage jobs.
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Arizona with low violent and property crime rates.
Abundant outdoor recreation, including Lake Pleasant and over 26 miles of mountain and multi-use trails.
High median household income ($95,815) and a well-educated workforce with top-tier public schools.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 105°F.
High level of car dependency with limited public mass transit options outside of major roadways.
Housing and rental costs have risen significantly, running moderately higher than the national average.
Historically a commuter suburb where a large share of the workforce still travels outside city limits for work.
Water resource management and desert conservation present ongoing long-term regional challenges.
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.
Peoria
#76Arizona, USA
69.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,817
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
322/yr
Avg Temp
76.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
80
Business
85
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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