Performance
Score Breakdown
Dalian
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dalian is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
69% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dalian's average rent is
64% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Dalian | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $403 | $1,123 | -64% |
| Groceries | $239 | $742 | -68% |
| Utilities | $65 | $234 | -72% |
| Transport | $98 | $357 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $130 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $805 | $2,586 | -69% |
| Cost Index | 25 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 82% 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 Dalian is estimated at
$12,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Dalian | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $13,224 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $12,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,896 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $7,548 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dalian | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Dalian.
Dalian scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dalian leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dalian | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 75.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 70.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 66.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dalian is the larger city
— approximately 39.5x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Dalian 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 | Dalian | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,500,000 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.87% | % |
| Median Age | 40.6 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dalian
Advantages
Robust industrial base in petrochemicals, automotive, shipbuilding, and high-tech sectors, fostering economic growth and job opportunities.
Recognized as a national innovation city and a benchmark for international business environment, attracting foreign investment and fostering a dynamic business climate.
High quality of life with an appealing urban environment, well-developed infrastructure, and consistently good air quality for over 315 days annually.
A vibrant coastal city offering pleasant summers, scenic beaches, diverse cultural experiences, and a range of outdoor activities.
Serves as a crucial international comprehensive transportation hub with a deep-water port and extensive global shipping connections.
Drawbacks
While public transport is strong, traffic congestion can still be a challenge in certain areas, impacting commute times.
Winters are notably cold and windy, requiring substantial warm clothing for outdoor activities.
Air quality, while generally good, can experience periods of moderate to poor pollution.
Limited specific data for certain economic and social metrics (e.g., median household income, job growth rate) from recent years makes detailed analysis challenging.
The reliability of some crowd-sourced data, such as traffic and transportation habits, may be affected by a low number of contributors.
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.
Dalian
#1Liaoning, China
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$403
Avg Salary
$13,224
Cost Index
25
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
75.0/10
Walkability
70.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.87%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
75
Business
70
Akron
#97Ohio, 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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