City Comparison
Philadelphia vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Philadelphia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Philadelphia
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Philadelphia.
Housing costs are a major driver: Philadelphia's average rent is
57% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,768 | $1,123 | +57% |
| Groceries | $420 | $742 | -43% |
| Utilities | $185 | $234 | -21% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $130 | +77% |
| Monthly Total | $2,713 | $2,586 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 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 Philadelphia is estimated at
$58,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,588 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $61,953 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Philadelphia runs warmer on average — a 55.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Philadelphia comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Philadelphia sees 12 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Philadelphia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 76.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Philadelphia is the larger city
— approximately 8.3x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Philadelphia 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 | Philadelphia | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,574,281 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.10% | — |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Philadelphia
Advantages
Average rent remains roughly 15-20% lower than comparable major East Coast markets like New York and Boston.
Home to world-class higher education and healthcare anchor institutions driving stable high-skilled employment.
High walkability and extensive public transit infrastructure via SEPTA make car-free urban living practical.
Vibrant arts, historical architecture, and globally renowned culinary and craft beverage scenes.
Emerging status as a top-tier life sciences and biotechnology venture capital destination ('Cellicon Valley').
Drawbacks
Local wage and business tax structures can present a heavier financial burden compared to surrounding suburbs.
Property crime and localized public safety challenges persist across specific urban neighborhoods.
Public school system performance faces chronic funding and structural hurdles, prompting many families to explore alternatives.
Varying rates of economic mobility leave certain historically underserved neighborhoods behind the city's broader growth.
Post-pandemic economic and job growth recovery has occasionally lagged behind other major U.S. metropolitan regions.
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.
Philadelphia
#512Pennsylvania, USA
51.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,768
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
76.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
55.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.10%
Unemployment
4.90%
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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