Performance
Score Breakdown
East Hartford
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% higher compared to East Hartford.
Housing costs are a major driver: East Hartford's average rent is
41% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | East Hartford | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,583 | $1,123 | +41% |
| Groceries | $350 | $742 | -53% |
| Utilities | $250 | $234 | +7% |
| Transport | $300 | $357 | -16% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $130 | +54% |
| Monthly Total | $2,683 | $2,586 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 51% 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 East Hartford is estimated at
$29,796 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | East Hartford | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $35,770 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $29,796 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,653 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $70,778 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | East Hartford | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
East Hartford 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 | East Hartford | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 26.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of East Hartford.
From a growth perspective, East Hartford 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 | East Hartford | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,693 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
East Hartford
Advantages
The median household income in East Hartford grew by 5.73% from 2023 to 2024, reaching $70,778.
East Hartford's violent crime rate is 89% below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
The cost of living in East Hartford is 11% lower than the Connecticut average, making it more affordable.
The average commute time of 22.4 minutes is shorter than the national average.
Employment in East Hartford grew at a rate of 2.21% from 2023 to 2024.
Drawbacks
East Hartford's population is projected to decline by -0.07% annually in 2026.
The town's Walk Score of 33 indicates it is car-dependent, with most errands requiring a car.
Educational attainment levels are lower than Hartford County, with 18% of residents having a four-year college degree or higher, compared to 40% in the County.
The Transit Score of 26 suggests limited public transportation options for car-free living.
East Hartford's crime rates are 17% higher than the Connecticut average, despite being lower than the national average for violent crime.
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.
East Hartford
#21Connecticut, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$35,770
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
26.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
73
Business
68
Akron
#92Ohio, 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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