Performance
Score Breakdown
Danville
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Danville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
21% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Danville's average rent is
11% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Danville | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,000 | $1,123 | -11% |
| Groceries | $450 | $742 | -39% |
| Utilities | $229 | $234 | -2% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,049 | $2,586 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 13% 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 Danville is estimated at
$64,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Danville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,871 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $64,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,415 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $44,423 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Danville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Danville 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 | Danville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 26.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Danville.
From a growth perspective, Danville 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 | Danville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,493 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Danville
Advantages
Danville boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
The city is experiencing substantial economic development, including a $1.6 billion investment in a new manufacturing facility creating over 1,800 jobs.
Danville's housing market is highly affordable, with a housing affordability index of 138 in 2024, well above the state average.
The tourism sector in Danville is Virginia's fastest-growing, with visitor spending increasing by 23.5% in 2024.
Sovah Health Danville received an 'A' safety grade in Spring 2024, indicating high-quality care in specific medical procedures and conditions.
Drawbacks
Danville's overall population is projected to decline annually, primarily due to deaths outnumbering births, despite positive in-migration.
The city has a higher total crime index (145 in 2024) compared to the national average (100), indicating a greater prevalence of crime.
Danville is a car-dependent city, with a low Walk Score of 26, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
The median household income in Danville ($44,423 in 2024) is significantly lower than the statewide median income.
Sovah Health Danville has an overall CMS hospital rating of 2 out of 5 stars as of April 2026, suggesting areas for improvement in overall quality despite good safety.
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.
Danville
#53Virginia, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,000
Avg Salary
$63,871
Cost Index
87
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
26.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
75
Akron
#101Ohio, 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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