City Comparison
Richmond Hill vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Richmond Hill scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Richmond Hill
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Richmond Hill.
Housing costs are a major driver: Richmond Hill's average rent is
65% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Richmond Hill | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,123 | +65% |
| Groceries | $460 | $742 | -38% |
| Utilities | $190 | $234 | -19% |
| Transport | $140 | $357 | -61% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $130 | +77% |
| Monthly Total | $2,870 | $2,586 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 110 | 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 Richmond Hill is estimated at
$52,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Richmond Hill | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,727 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Richmond Hill runs warmer on average — a 45.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Richmond Hill comes out ahead with 240 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Richmond Hill sees 56.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Richmond Hill | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 56.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Richmond Hill.
Richmond Hill 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 | Richmond Hill | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 49.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 46.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 59.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Richmond Hill is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Richmond Hill 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 | Richmond Hill | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 208,500 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | — |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.70% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Richmond Hill
Advantages
Consistently ranked as one of the safest municipalities in Canada with very low violent crime rates.
Exceptional public school system and diverse educational options including top-tier private institutions.
Extensive park systems, natural green spaces, and recreational facilities including Lake Wilcox Park.
Strategic location in the Greater Toronto Area with strong employment hubs and corporate HQs.
Rich multicultural environment featuring vibrant cultural festivals and world-class culinary options.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and inflated real estate prices compared to the national Canadian average.
Heavy reliance on automobiles resulting in significant traffic congestion during peak commuting hours.
Limited walkability in many suburban neighborhoods outside of designated commercial corridors.
Higher-than-average property taxes and municipal service fees to support local infrastructure.
Rental market competition is fierce, with high monthly rates for apartments and townhouses.
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.
Richmond Hill
#36Ontario, Canada
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
49.0/100
Walkability
46.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
45.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
5.70%
Livability
81
Business
74
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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