City Comparison
East Hartford vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
East Hartford scores higher overall
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
#8Connecticut, USA
72.5 / 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
#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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