City Comparison
Derry vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Derry scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Derry
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
12% higher compared to Derry.
Housing costs are a major driver: Derry's average rent is
111% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Derry | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,366 | $1,123 | +111% |
| Groceries | $339 | $742 | -54% |
| Utilities | $0 | $234 | -100% |
| Transport | $200 | $357 | -44% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $130 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,905 | $2,586 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 1% 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 Derry is estimated at
$62,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Derry | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,286 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $108,944 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Derry | 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
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Derry.
Derry 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 | Derry | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 28.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Derry.
From a growth perspective, Derry is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Derry has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Derry | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,389 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | % |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Derry
Advantages
Low crime rate, with overall crime 49% below the national average and violent crime 57% lower [14].
Strategic location offering convenient access to Boston and Manchester, with major highways nearby [28, 44].
No state income tax, contributing to potential savings for residents [30].
Rich historical heritage, including being the birthplace of astronaut Alan Shepard and home to poet Robert Frost [4, 31, 32, 38].
Access to natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, including parks and trails [30].
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation options [7, 28].
Cost of living is 12% higher than the national average, driven by housing costs [16].
Housing prices are above the national average, with a median sold price of $450,000 as of August 2026 [17].
Experiences harsh winters with significant snowfall [30].
Recent employment data shows a slight decline, though the unemployment rate remains low [3].
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.
Derry
#56New Hampshire, USA
62.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,366
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
28.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
78
Business
70
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
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