City Comparison
Gqeberha vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gqeberha scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gqeberha
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gqeberha is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
49% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gqeberha's average rent is
42% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Gqeberha | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,123 | -42% |
| Groceries | $300 | $742 | -60% |
| Utilities | $120 | $234 | -49% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $130 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $1,330 | $2,586 | -49% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 80% 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 Gqeberha is estimated at
$12,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Gqeberha | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,500 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $12,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 32,222 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $18,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Gqeberha runs warmer on average — a 65.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Gqeberha comes out ahead with 281 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Gqeberha sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gqeberha | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 65.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 281 | |
| Humidity | 74.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Gqeberha.
Gqeberha scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gqeberha leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gqeberha | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gqeberha is the larger city
— approximately 6.7x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Gqeberha 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 | Gqeberha | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,263,000 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 35.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gqeberha
Advantages
Average home purchase and rental prices are significantly lower than in Cape Town or Johannesburg, offering high value per square foot.
Abundant access to pristine, uncrowded beaches and outdoor recreational areas like Kragga Kamma Game Park.
Shorter average commute times and milder traffic congestion compared to South Africa's larger metropolitan regions.
A family-friendly environment featuring reputable schools and Nelson Mandela University.
A growing renewable energy and automotive manufacturing sector driving localized economic development.
Drawbacks
High national unemployment rates impact the broader regional economy and job market competitiveness.
Episodic municipal service delivery challenges, including water infrastructure maintenance and localized power outages.
Crime rates in certain commercial and informal sectors require residents to maintain active private security measures.
Public transportation options outside of minibus taxis and private vehicles are relatively limited.
Vulnerability to regional water scarcity issues affecting the Eastern Cape province during prolonged dry seasons.
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.
Gqeberha
#24Eastern Cape, South Africa
63.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$14,500
Cost Index
45
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
281/yr
Avg Temp
65.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
35.50%
Livability
72
Business
64
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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