City Comparison
Tawa vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tawa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tawa
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tawa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tawa's average rent is
47% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Tawa | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,123 | +47% |
| Groceries | $420 | $742 | -43% |
| Utilities | $160 | $234 | -32% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $130 | +69% |
| Monthly Total | $2,560 | $2,586 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 29% 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 Tawa is estimated at
$46,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Tawa | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $46,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,319 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $58,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tawa runs warmer on average — a 55.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tawa comes out ahead with 214 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tawa sees 0.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tawa | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 53.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 55.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 52.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 214 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Tawa.
Tawa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tawa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tawa | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Tawa.
From a growth perspective, Tawa 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 | Tawa | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,800 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | — |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tawa
Advantages
Commuter rail stations (Tawa and Linden) provide a direct sub-20 minute train ride into central Wellington
High-performing local primary and secondary schools make it a top choice for families
Extensive green spaces, parks, and recreational trails including the Porirua Stream pathways
Lower median property purchase prices compared to central Wellington city suburbs
Strong community engagement with active local sports clubs, libraries, and civic groups
Drawbacks
State Highway 1 and local arterial roads experience notable commuter traffic congestion during peak hours
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within the suburb proper, requiring travel to Wellington
Housing affordability remains a challenge for first-time home buyers due to high national property price baselines
Topography featuring surrounding hills can limit cycling accessibility for certain neighborhoods
Variable public bus feeder routes can make cross-suburb non-rail transit less direct
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.
Tawa
#27Wellington, New Zealand
64.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
214/yr
Avg Temp
55.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
79
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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