City Comparison
West Palm Beach vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Palm Beach scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
West Palm Beach
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in West Palm Beach.
Housing costs are a major driver: West Palm Beach's average rent is
91% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | West Palm Beach | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,150 | $1,123 | +91% |
| Groceries | $480 | $742 | -35% |
| Utilities | $195 | $234 | -17% |
| Transport | $135 | $357 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $130 | +108% |
| Monthly Total | $3,230 | $2,586 | +25% |
| Cost Index | 115 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Palm Beach offers 1% higher 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 West Palm Beach is estimated at
$65,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | West Palm Beach | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,348 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $76,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
West Palm Beach runs warmer on average — a 76.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, West Palm Beach comes out ahead with 183 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — West Palm Beach sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | West Palm Beach | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 64.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 53.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 183 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to West Palm Beach.
West Palm Beach scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Palm Beach leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | West Palm Beach | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of West Palm Beach.
From a growth perspective, West Palm Beach is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | West Palm Beach | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,824 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | — |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
West Palm Beach
Advantages
No state income tax in Florida, providing significant tax relief for residents and businesses.
Rapidly expanding financial and tech sectors ('Wall Street South') creating high-paying career opportunities.
Vibrant downtown waterfront dining, shopping, and cultural venues like the Norton Museum of Art.
Exceptional year-round warm weather with access to pristine Atlantic beaches and outdoor recreation.
Connected transit options via Brightline high-speed rail linking directly to Miami and Orlando.
Drawbacks
Rising cost of living and housing prices driven by high demand and population influx.
High homeowners and property insurance costs due to regional weather risks.
Significant traffic congestion along major regional corridors during peak commuting hours.
High humidity and intense heat during summer months limiting midday outdoor activity.
Competitive rental market making affordable housing difficult to secure for mid-income workers.
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.
West Palm Beach
#434Florida, USA
56.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,150
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
115
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
183/yr
Avg Temp
76.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
76
Business
78
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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