City Comparison
Winchester vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Winchester scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Winchester
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Winchester.
Housing costs are a major driver: Winchester's average rent is
51% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Winchester | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,700 | $1,123 | +51% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,650 | $2,586 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 12% 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 Winchester is estimated at
$55,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Winchester | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,368 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $63,974 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Winchester runs warmer on average — a 55.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Winchester comes out ahead with 261 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Winchester sees 14.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Winchester | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 35.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 14.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 261 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Winchester scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Winchester leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Winchester | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Winchester.
From a growth perspective, Winchester 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 | Winchester | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,272 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.78% | — |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Winchester
Advantages
Median home purchase values remain notably more affordable than neighboring Northern Virginia markets per Zillow and U.S. Census data.
Winchester registered the third-highest post-2020 Census growth rate among Virginia cities per the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Policy.
Comprehensive medical infrastructure anchored by Winchester Medical Center and Valley Health System ensures top-tier healthcare access.
Robust educational partnerships with Shenandoah University and Laurel Ridge Community College drive strong workforce development.
Proximity to outdoor amenities, including Shenandoah National Park and regional apple orchards, provides exceptional recreational lifestyle value.
Drawbacks
Poverty rates in the immediate city limits stand higher than state averages per recent U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
Rents and property values have experienced upward pressure driven by an influx of regional relocations.
Heavy reliance on personal vehicles contributes to localized rush-hour congestion along primary corridors like Interstate 81.
Limited local public transit infrastructure creates high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Local sales and meals taxes in the region add slightly to everyday consumer expenses.
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.
Winchester
#289Virginia, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,700
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
261/yr
Avg Temp
55.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.78%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
76
Business
70
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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