Performance
Score Breakdown
Akron
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
44% lower compared to Albuquerque.
| Metric | Akron | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,123 | $1,178 | -5% |
| Groceries | $742 | $400 | +86% |
| Utilities | $234 | $195 | +20% |
| Transport | $357 | $120 | +198% |
| Healthcare | $130 | $2,723 | -95% |
| Monthly Total | $2,586 | $4,616 | -44% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 97 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 5% 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 Akron is estimated at
$66,000 vs $69,443 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Akron | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $73,000 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $66,000 | $69,443 |
| Purchasing Power | 85,882 idx | 79,381 idx |
| Household Income | $48,076 | $71,494 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Akron | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Albuquerque.
Albuquerque 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 | Akron | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 48.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Akron 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 | Akron | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,664 | 560,326 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many U.S. cities.
Housing expenses are notably reasonable, with average rent 29% lower than the national average.
Albuquerque boasts a highly accessible park system, ranking 15th nationally in 2024, with 90% of residents living within a walkable half-mile of a park.
The city offers a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant arts scene, including the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are lower than the national average, with annual medical costs for a single adult around $2,723 in 2024.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque has a high violent crime rate, which is 229% above the national average, resulting in an 'F' safety grade.
The city's overall walkability score of 43 indicates a high reliance on cars for most daily errands.
Despite a decrease in violent crime, burglaries increased by 11% in 2024.
The population experienced a slight decline of 0.25% in 2024.
Specific recent data for long-term care costs (home care, assisted living, nursing home) were not readily available.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Akron
#92Ohio, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$73,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
65
Business
55
Albuquerque
#21New Mexico, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,178
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
97
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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