City Comparison
Reggio Emilia vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Reggio Emilia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Reggio Emilia
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Reggio Emilia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Akron.
| Metric | Reggio Emilia | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,123 | -7% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $50 | $357 | -86% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $130 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,586 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 53% 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 Reggio Emilia is estimated at
$28,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Reggio Emilia | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $28,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,000 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $36,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Reggio Emilia runs warmer on average — a 58.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Reggio Emilia comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Reggio Emilia sees 0.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Reggio Emilia | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Reggio Emilia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Reggio Emilia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Reggio Emilia | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Reggio Emilia.
From a growth perspective, Reggio Emilia 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 | Reggio Emilia | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,000 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | — |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Reggio Emilia
Advantages
World-renowned municipal early childhood education system (Reggio Emilia Approach) providing exceptional preschool and nursery care
High-speed railway station (Mediopadana) offering rapid connections to Milan, Bologna, Florence, and Rome
Extensive cycling infrastructure and pedestrian-friendly urban planning promoting active and sustainable mobility
Strong local economy with robust industrial sectors, low unemployment, and higher-than-average regional wages
Exceptional culinary heritage and high overall quality of public services, healthcare, and social cohesion
Drawbacks
Higher housing and rental costs in the historic center compared to smaller surrounding towns in the province
Foggy and humid winter conditions typical of the Po Valley basin affecting seasonal air quality
Limited direct nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan hubs like Milan or Bologna
Parking constraints and limited vehicular access within the historic ZTL (restricted traffic zone)
Summer temperatures can become quite warm and humid due to the inland valley geography
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.
Reggio Emilia
#40Emilia-Romagna, Italy
65.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$34,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
58.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
83
Business
76
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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