City Comparison
Boston vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Boston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Boston
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
31% higher compared to Boston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Boston's average rent is
114% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Boston | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $1,123 | +114% |
| Groceries | $450 | $742 | -39% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $3,400 | $2,586 | +31% |
| Cost Index | 150 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 3% 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 Boston is estimated at
$75,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Boston | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,513 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,009 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $97,791 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Boston runs warmer on average — a 51°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Boston comes out ahead with 250 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Boston sees 25 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Boston | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | |
| Humidity | 67.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Boston.
Boston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Boston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Boston | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 75.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Boston is the larger city
— approximately 3.6x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Boston 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 | Boston | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 675,647 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.17% | % |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.70% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Boston
Advantages
Boston is recognized as a top city for healthcare, with world-class hospitals and medical facilities.
The city is a global hub for innovation, particularly in biotechnology and life sciences, attracting significant venture capital funding.
Boston offers a rich historical and cultural landscape, with numerous landmarks and a vibrant arts scene.
It is a leading center for higher education, home to prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT, which contribute to a highly educated workforce.
Boston has a strong public transit system, the MBTA, offering subway, bus, and commuter rail services, alongside high walkability scores in many neighborhoods.
Drawbacks
Boston has one of the highest costs of living in the United States, primarily driven by expensive housing.
Traffic congestion and parking difficulties can make driving in the city challenging.
The cost of healthcare, while high quality, is also among the most expensive in the nation.
Public transportation, while extensive, can face issues with reliability and service disruptions.
Winter weather in Boston can be severe, with cold temperatures, significant snowfall, and icy conditions.
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.
Boston
#144Massachusetts, USA
47.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,400
Avg Salary
$70,513
Cost Index
150
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
70.0/10
Walkability
75.0/10
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
51.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.17%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
79
Business
75
Akron
#156Ohio, USA
42.8 / 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 Boston and Akron.
Open Cost Calculator