City Comparison
Rockford vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Rockford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Rockford
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rockford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rockford's average rent is
15% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Rockford | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,123 | -15% |
| Groceries | $380 | $742 | -49% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $130 | +77% |
| Monthly Total | $1,845 | $2,586 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 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 Rockford is estimated at
$48,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Rockford | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,235 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $55,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Rockford runs warmer on average — a 50.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Rockford comes out ahead with 262 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Rockford sees 24.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Rockford | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 262 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Rockford 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 | Rockford | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Rockford.
From a growth perspective, Rockford 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 | Rockford | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,655 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rockford
Advantages
Median home prices in Rockford remain significantly lower than the national average per Redfin data from 2024.
The city boasts extensive recreational amenities, including the world-renowned Anderson Japanese Gardens.
Strategic location along I-90 provides easy access to Chicago, Madison, and Milwaukee.
A thriving arts and cultural scene anchored by the historic Coronado Theatre.
Abundant park space with the Rockford Park District managing over 4,000 acres of land.
Drawbacks
Certain neighborhoods experience higher-than-average crime rates per FBI crime data.
Property tax rates in Winnebago County can be relatively high compared to neighboring states.
Public transit options are more limited outside of core bus routes, increasing car dependency.
Winter weather brings significant snowfall and cold temperatures requiring robust preparation.
Job growth in traditional manufacturing has faced periodic economic fluctuations.
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.
Rockford
#446Illinois, USA
55.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
262/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
73
Business
67
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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