City Comparison
Waterloo vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Waterloo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waterloo
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waterloo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Waterloo's average rent is
15% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Waterloo | 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 Waterloo is estimated at
$48,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Waterloo | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,235 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Waterloo runs warmer on average — a 50.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Waterloo comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Waterloo sees 22.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Waterloo | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Waterloo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Waterloo 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 | Waterloo | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Waterloo.
From a growth perspective, Waterloo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Waterloo | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,325 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Waterloo
Advantages
Median home prices are significantly lower than the national average per US Census and local real estate data
Average commute times are short, reducing daily travel stress
Abundant outdoor recreation options including the Cedar Valley Nature Trail
Strong local healthcare presence with MercyOne and UnityPoint Health facilities
Rich cultural amenities such as the Grout Museum District and Lost Island Waterpark
Drawbacks
Cold and snowy winter conditions can be challenging for residents
Public transit options are limited compared to major metropolitan areas
Property taxes in Black Hawk County can be relatively high
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience higher property crime rates
Job market heavily relies on a few major industrial employers
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.
Waterloo
#366Iowa, USA
59.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
50.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
3.80%
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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