City Comparison
Yuma vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Yuma scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Yuma
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yuma is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Yuma's average rent is
34% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Yuma | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $1,123 | +34% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $130 | +69% |
| Monthly Total | $2,420 | $2,586 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 24% 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 Yuma is estimated at
$48,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Yuma | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,200 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,355 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $65,482 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Yuma runs warmer on average — a 77.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Yuma comes out ahead with 347 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Yuma sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Yuma | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 77.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 107.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 51.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 5.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 347 | |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Yuma has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Yuma 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 | Yuma | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Yuma.
From a growth perspective, Yuma 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 | Yuma | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,227 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | — |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Yuma
Advantages
Over 340 days of sunshine annually provide an exceptional climate for outdoor recreation and winter warmth.
Housing and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average and neighboring California markets.
Major stability provided by large military installations (MCAS Yuma and Yuma Proving Ground).
World-class recreational access to the Colorado River for boating, fishing, and water sports.
A rich bicultural community offering vibrant local culture and exceptional authentic dining.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer temperatures frequently exceed 105°F, requiring heavy air conditioning use.
High seasonal unemployment rates driven by cyclical agricultural harvesting schedules.
High degree of car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure.
Summer utility bills can surge significantly due to continuous cooling requirements.
Lower average educational attainment rates compared to national benchmarks in specific segments.
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.
Yuma
#187Arizona, USA
64.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$55,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
22.0/100
Walkability
34.0/100
Sunny Days
347/yr
Avg Temp
77.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
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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