City Comparison
Durban vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Durban scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Durban
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Durban is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
50% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Durban's average rent is
42% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Durban | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,123 | -42% |
| Groceries | $280 | $742 | -62% |
| Utilities | $110 | $234 | -53% |
| Transport | $95 | $357 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $130 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $1,285 | $2,586 | -50% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 81% 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 Durban is estimated at
$11,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Durban | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $11,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 33,333 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $16,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Durban runs warmer on average — a 71°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Durban comes out ahead with 240 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Durban sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Durban | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 71.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 72.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 71.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Durban.
Durban scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Durban leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Durban | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Durban is the larger city
— approximately 22.1x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Durban 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 | Durban | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,200,000 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 29.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Durban
Advantages
Subtropical climate with 240 sunny days per year and warm ocean temperatures
Housing and rental costs are notably lower than in Cape Town or Johannesburg
Rich cultural heritage and world-renowned culinary scene, including authentic local cuisine
Strategic coastal location anchored by Africa's busiest shipping and logistics port
Abundant outdoor recreational activities along the Golden Mile and surrounding coastal reserves
Drawbacks
High regional unemployment rate mirroring broader South African economic hurdles
Crime rates require constant security vigilance and gated or secure residential planning
Occasional municipal infrastructure challenges including water and power supply disruptions
Traffic congestion during peak hours along primary highway corridors
High summer humidity can be intense for unacclimatized newcomers
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.
Durban
#20KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
64.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$14,000
Cost Index
42
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
71.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
29.50%
Livability
73
Business
67
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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