City Comparison
Bad Salzungen vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bad Salzungen scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bad Salzungen
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bad Salzungen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
36% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bad Salzungen's average rent is
33% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Bad Salzungen | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $750 | $1,123 | -33% |
| Groceries | $380 | $742 | -49% |
| Utilities | $220 | $234 | -6% |
| Transport | $95 | $357 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $130 | +54% |
| Monthly Total | $1,645 | $2,586 | -36% |
| Cost Index | 72 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 40% 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 Bad Salzungen is estimated at
$36,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Bad Salzungen | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $36,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,111 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $42,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bad Salzungen runs warmer on average — a 50.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bad Salzungen comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bad Salzungen sees 9.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bad Salzungen | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 74.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 31.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 24.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 9.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 74.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Bad Salzungen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bad Salzungen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bad Salzungen | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 71.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Bad Salzungen.
From a growth perspective, Bad Salzungen 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 | Bad Salzungen | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,530 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 48.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bad Salzungen
Advantages
Average rental prices are substantially lower than the German national average per Destatis and Numbeo 2024 data.
Exceptional air quality and therapeutic saline infrastructure due to the town's official spa status and Gradierwerke.
Very low crime rates and high public safety scores compared to major German urban centers.
Immediate access to scenic nature, including the Werra valley and the Thuringian Forest for outdoor recreation.
Comprehensive healthcare infrastructure anchored by regional hospitals and specialized rehabilitation clinics.
Drawbacks
Average local salaries trail behind western German economic powerhouses per federal wage reports.
Public transit frequencies outside peak hours can be limited, maintaining a reliance on personal vehicles.
Demographic aging creates structural challenges for local workforce replenishment.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options for young adults compared to larger university cities.
Economic growth heavily relies on the tourism and healthcare sectors, limiting industry diversification.
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.
Bad Salzungen
#13Thuringia, Germany
66.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$750
Avg Salary
$44,000
Cost Index
72
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
71.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
50.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
82
Business
65
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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