Performance
Score Breakdown
Slidell
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Slidell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
10% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Slidell's average rent is
23% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Slidell | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,384 | $1,123 | +23% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $206 | $234 | -12% |
| Transport | $100 | $357 | -72% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,340 | $2,586 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 11% 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 Slidell is estimated at
$55,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Slidell | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $70,497 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Slidell | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Slidell.
Slidell 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 | Slidell | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Slidell.
From a growth perspective, Slidell is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Slidell has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Slidell | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,561 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | % |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Slidell
Advantages
Cost of living is 5.2% lower than the national average, with housing being 10.8% less expensive.
Median home values are significantly lower than the national average, offering affordable housing options.
The city offers a good quality of life with a suburban feel, access to amenities, and community events.
Healthcare facilities, including Slidell Memorial Hospital and Ochsner Health centers, provide comprehensive medical services.
Slidell has a relatively low violent crime rate, with some sources indicating it is lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Walkability and transit scores are low, indicating a high dependency on personal vehicles for transportation.
Crime rates, particularly property crime, are near or slightly above the national average according to some reports.
The job market experienced a slight employment decline in recent years, though broader regional growth exists.
Humidity levels are high, typical of the Gulf Coast region, which can impact comfort during warmer months.
Public transit options are limited, making car ownership almost essential for daily life.
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.
Slidell
#62Louisiana, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,384
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
74
Business
68
Akron
#117Ohio, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$73,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
65
Business
55
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