Performance
Score Breakdown
Smyrna
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
2% higher compared to Smyrna.
Housing costs are a major driver: Smyrna's average rent is
56% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Smyrna | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,123 | +56% |
| Groceries | $420 | $742 | -43% |
| Utilities | $190 | $234 | -19% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $130 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $2,630 | $2,586 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 99 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 28% 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 Smyrna is estimated at
$57,912 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Smyrna | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,722 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $57,912 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,255 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $67,048 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Smyrna | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Smyrna.
Smyrna 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 | Smyrna | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 33 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Smyrna.
From a growth perspective, Smyrna 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 | Smyrna | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,936 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.90% | % |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Smyrna
Advantages
Smyrna is one of the fastest-growing communities in Delaware, indicating strong development and opportunity.
The cost of living in Smyrna is generally lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
The town boasts a quality school district, making it attractive for families.
Smyrna's strategic location provides convenient access to larger job markets in Dover and Wilmington.
The town offers a strong community-focused lifestyle with a walkable downtown and local events.
Drawbacks
Smyrna has a higher crime rate compared to both national and statewide averages, with a worsening crime trajectory.
The town exhibits high car dependency due to a Walk Score of 0.
The average commute time of 33.4 minutes is higher than the national average.
Public transportation options, while available, may have limited frequency and coverage.
Despite growth, the town itself has limited economic opportunities, requiring commutes for many jobs.
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.
Smyrna
#68Delaware, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$52,722
Cost Index
99
Commute
33 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.90%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
68
Business
72
Akron
#101Ohio, 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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