City Comparison
Dundee vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dundee scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dundee
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dundee is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dundee's average rent is
15% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Dundee | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,123 | -15% |
| Groceries | $380 | $742 | -49% |
| Utilities | $190 | $234 | -19% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $130 | +54% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,586 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 42% 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 Dundee is estimated at
$35,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Dundee | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,220 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $38,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Dundee runs warmer on average — a 48.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dundee comes out ahead with 230 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dundee sees 4.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dundee | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 65.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 4.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 230 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Dundee scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dundee leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dundee | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 75.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Dundee.
From a growth perspective, Dundee 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 | Dundee | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,700 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | — |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dundee
Advantages
Significantly lower average home purchase and rental costs compared to Edinburgh and Glasgow per Zoopla 2025 data
World-class cultural anchor with the V&A Dundee and a globally recognized digital games development hub
Home to Ninewells Hospital and two major universities driving strong public sector and research employment
High walkability and compact city layout reducing daily commuting times and transport expenses
Scenic coastal location on the Firth of Tay with easy access to rural Angus and the Scottish Highlands
Drawbacks
Average local salaries lag behind major UK metropolitan hubs like London and Edinburgh per ONS data
Higher than average rainfall and cooler winter temperatures characteristic of eastern Scotland
Certain inner-city pockets experience localized deprivation and economic challenges
Limited direct international flight connections from Dundee Airport require travel to Edinburgh
Public transport reliance can present challenges for late-night travel outside core routes
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.
Dundee
#11Scotland, UK
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$42,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
75.0/100
Sunny Days
230/yr
Avg Temp
48.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
76
Business
70
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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