Performance
Score Breakdown
Akron
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
14% lower compared to Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Akron's average rent is
49% lower than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Akron | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,123 | $2,184 | -49% |
| Groceries | $742 | $450 | +65% |
| Utilities | $234 | $231 | +1% |
| Transport | $357 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $130 | $150 | -13% |
| Monthly Total | $2,586 | $3,015 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 50% 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 Akron is estimated at
$66,000 vs $61,558 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Akron | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $73,000 | $48,651 |
| Salary Needed | $66,000 | $61,558 |
| Purchasing Power | 85,882 idx | 32,652 idx |
| Household Income | $48,076 | $81,939 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Akron | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Akron | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 48.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
.
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 | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,664 | 3,863,148 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $1,000.0B |
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.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, particularly in entertainment, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering varied job opportunities.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
Healthcare quality is high, with major institutions like LA General Medical Center receiving top safety grades and exceeding state benchmarks.
Los Angeles is a global cultural hub, offering a rich array of arts, dining, and entertainment options.
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly high, with housing expenses being 135% higher than the national average.
Los Angeles is a highly car-dependent city, leading to severe traffic congestion and long commute times, averaging 30 minutes.
The city's population is experiencing a slight annual decline, with a -0.15% growth rate projected for 2026.
Despite improvements, Los Angeles's safety score of 58/100 indicates a moderate crime rate, higher than the average U.S. city.
Utility costs in Los Angeles are 9% higher than the national average, adding to the overall expense of living.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Akron
#95Ohio, 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
Los Angeles
#64California, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,184
Avg Salary
$48,651
Cost Index
149
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
75
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Akron and Los Angeles.
Open Cost Calculator