Performance
Score Breakdown
Altenburg
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Altenburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
30% lower compared to Akron.
| Metric | Altenburg | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,123 | -7% |
| Groceries | $565 | $742 | -24% |
| Utilities | $126 | $234 | -46% |
| Transport | $82 | $357 | -77% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $130 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,823 | $2,586 | -30% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 35% 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 Altenburg is estimated at
$24,534 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Altenburg | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $47,124 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $24,534 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,360 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $45,845 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Altenburg | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Altenburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,000 minutes (183 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Altenburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Altenburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Altenburg | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 75.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 77.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Altenburg.
From a growth perspective, Altenburg 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 | Altenburg | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,580 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.58% | % |
| Median Age | 36.9 | |
| Unemployment | 6.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Altenburg
Advantages
Altenburg boasts a very high quality-of-life score of 84/100, with strengths in healthcare, green space, cleanliness, and infrastructure.
The city is highly safe, ranking in the upper tier with a safety index of 83/100, characterized by strong personal safety and low night-time crime.
Altenburg is considered very family-friendly, supported by good education access, safety, parks, and healthcare.
The cost of living is manageable, with a single resident spending approximately $1,574 per month excluding rent, which is around the average for Germany.
The city offers excellent walkability (77/100) and cycling (83/100) scores, along with a functional public transport network.
Drawbacks
Altenburg has a smaller social bubble and a more limited international scene compared to major metropolitan hubs.
Local integration for non-German speakers may be more demanding due to a lower density of English speakers.
The city experienced a significant population decline of nearly 40% since 1988, indicating historical economic challenges.
Specific job growth rates and new business growth rates for Altenburg are not readily available, making economic growth assessment challenging.
The median age is not precisely available, but the age distribution suggests a notable proportion of older residents, which could impact future workforce dynamics.
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.
Altenburg
#1Thuringia, Germany
76.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$47,124
Cost Index
90
Commute
min
Transit Score
75.0/10
Walkability
77.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.58%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
84
Business
72
Akron
#127Ohio, 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
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