Performance
Score Breakdown
Biddeford
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
58% higher compared to Biddeford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Biddeford's average rent is
96% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Biddeford | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,199 | $1,123 | +96% |
| Groceries | $426 | $742 | -43% |
| Utilities | $428 | $234 | +83% |
| Transport | $789 | $357 | +121% |
| Healthcare | $252 | $130 | +94% |
| Monthly Total | $4,094 | $2,586 | +58% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 7% 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 Biddeford is estimated at
$87,960 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Biddeford | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $67,565 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $87,960 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,381 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $72,333 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Biddeford | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 71.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Biddeford 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 | Biddeford | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Biddeford.
From a growth perspective, Biddeford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Biddeford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Biddeford | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,932 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Biddeford
Advantages
Vibrant downtown with revitalized historic mill buildings and cultural attractions.
Lower unemployment rate (3% in May 2026) compared to the national average.
Strong presence of top industries like Education and Health Care and Social Services providing job opportunities.
Relatively young median age (35.0 years) contributing to a dynamic community.
Access to a full-service hospital, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Biddeford, within the city.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is significantly higher than the national average (22% higher in 2026).
Highest violent crime rate in Maine (313.8 per 100K in 2024) and overall crime rate 26% higher than national average.
Housing costs are notably high, with average apartment rent at $2,199/month in July 2026.
High car dependency due to limited public transportation options.
Long-term care costs, such as assisted living and nursing homes, are considerably higher than national averages.
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.
Biddeford
#88Maine, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,199
Avg Salary
$67,565
Cost Index
122
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
67
Business
68
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Biddeford and Akron.
Open Cost Calculator