City Comparison
Bochum vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bochum scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bochum
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bochum is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bochum's average rent is
24% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Bochum | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,123 | -24% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $250 | $234 | +7% |
| Transport | $90 | $357 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $130 | +69% |
| Monthly Total | $1,810 | $2,586 | -30% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 34% 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 Bochum is estimated at
$40,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Bochum | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $40,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $45,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bochum runs warmer on average — a 53.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bochum comes out ahead with 236 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bochum sees 8.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bochum | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 236 | |
| Humidity | 76.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Bochum.
Bochum scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bochum leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bochum | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 72.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bochum is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Bochum 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 | Bochum | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 365,612 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | — |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 9.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bochum
Advantages
Significantly more affordable housing and rental costs compared to major German hubs like Frankfurt or Munich.
Home to the prestigious Ruhr University Bochum, fostering a young, dynamic, and multicultural population.
Extensive public transit integration within the larger Ruhr Metropolis and North Rhine-Westphalia region.
Rich cultural landscape featuring theaters, museums, and restored industrial heritage sites like the Jahrhunderthalle.
Abundant green spaces, parks, and cycling routes integrated directly into the urban layout.
Drawbacks
Average local salaries and household incomes lag behind southern German economic powerhouses.
Certain areas experience regional traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on the A40 autobahn.
Weather patterns feature a high number of overcast and rainy days throughout the year.
Structural unemployment rates remain slightly above the national German average.
Limited high-end luxury retail and international corporate headquarters presence compared to Düsseldorf or Cologne.
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.
Bochum
#88North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
55.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
72.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
236/yr
Avg Temp
53.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
9.20%
Livability
75
Business
68
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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