City Comparison
Post Falls vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Post Falls scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Post Falls
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Post Falls is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Post Falls's average rent is
38% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Post Falls | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,123 | +38% |
| Groceries | $410 | $742 | -45% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $115 | $357 | -68% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $130 | +77% |
| Monthly Total | $2,480 | $2,586 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 16% 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 Post Falls is estimated at
$52,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Post Falls | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,245 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $69,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Post Falls runs warmer on average — a 49.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Post Falls comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Post Falls sees 43.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Post Falls | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 27.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 43.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Post Falls 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 | Post Falls | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Post Falls.
From a growth perspective, Post Falls is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Post Falls | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,500 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.10% | — |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Post Falls
Advantages
Median home prices in Kootenai County remain more affordable than nearby coastal markets in Washington and Oregon per Zillow data.
Enjoyable climate featuring 251 sunny days per year and abundant access to outdoor recreation along the Spokane River.
Business-friendly regulatory environment supporting robust local job growth and small business creation.
Violent crime rates consistently sit below the national average, contributing to a secure community environment.
Convenient access via Interstate 90 to larger metropolitan amenities in Spokane, Washington, and Coeur d'Alene.
Drawbacks
Rapid population growth has put significant upward pressure on local housing and rental prices.
High car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure across sprawling suburban neighborhoods.
Average local wages lag behind the rapid appreciation in housing costs, creating affordability strains.
Inversion layers in the winter can trap cold air and wood smoke in the valley.
Increasing traffic congestion along major thoroughfares and Interstate 90 during peak commuting hours.
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.
Post Falls
#84Idaho, USA
68.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
49.30°F
Pop. Growth
3.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
77
Business
72
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Post Falls and Akron.
Open Cost Calculator