City Comparison
São Paulo vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
São Paulo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
São Paulo
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
São Paulo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
38% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: São Paulo's average rent is
15% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | São Paulo | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,123 | -15% |
| Groceries | $320 | $742 | -57% |
| Utilities | $110 | $234 | -53% |
| Transport | $80 | $357 | -78% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $130 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $1,610 | $2,586 | -38% |
| Cost Index | 52 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 80% 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 São Paulo is estimated at
$12,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | São Paulo | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,500 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $12,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 27,885 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $15,200 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
São Paulo runs warmer on average — a 69.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, São Paulo comes out ahead with 209 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — São Paulo sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | São Paulo | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 69.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 71.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 67.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 50.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 209 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
13,000 minutes (217 hours) per year compared to São Paulo.
São Paulo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, São Paulo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | São Paulo | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 48 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 72.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 78.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
São Paulo is the larger city
— approximately 60.4x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, São Paulo 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 | São Paulo | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,451,245 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.76% | — |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
São Paulo
Advantages
World-class culinary scene with thousands of restaurants offering diverse international and traditional Brazilian gastronomy per IBGE data.
Abundant employment opportunities as the premier corporate and financial hub of Latin America.
Extensive cultural infrastructure including renowned museums, theaters, and massive annual events like the São Paulo Art Biennial.
Vibrant green spaces such as Ibirapuera Park providing recreational relief within the dense urban core.
Robust private healthcare network featuring internationally accredited hospitals and advanced medical technology.
Drawbacks
Notoriously heavy traffic congestion leading to prolonged daily commute times per municipal transit reports.
Persistent urban security challenges, particularly regarding opportunistic street theft and property crime.
High cost of housing and rental prices in desirable central neighborhoods compared to national averages.
Elevated levels of air and noise pollution typical of a massive South American megacity.
Significant socioeconomic inequality visible across different urban zones and peripheral neighborhoods.
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.
São Paulo
#137São Paulo, Brazil
68.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$14,500
Cost Index
52
Commute
48 min
Transit Score
72.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
209/yr
Avg Temp
69.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.76%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
73
Business
82
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 São Paulo and Akron.
Open Cost Calculator