Performance
Score Breakdown
Hamilton Township
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hamilton Township is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hamilton Township's average rent is
92% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Hamilton Township | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,151 | $1,123 | +92% |
| Groceries | $0 | $742 | -100% |
| Utilities | $315 | $234 | +35% |
| Transport | $0 | $357 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $130 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,466 | $2,586 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 114 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 100% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hamilton Township is estimated at
$79,392 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Hamilton Township | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $79,392 | $66,000 |
| Household Income | $100,771 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Hamilton Township | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Hamilton Township.
Hamilton Township scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hamilton Township leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hamilton Township | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 72.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Hamilton Township.
From a growth perspective, Hamilton Township 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 | Hamilton Township | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,267 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | % |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hamilton Township
Advantages
Affordable housing with good value compared to other regional options in New Jersey.
Strong sense of community with numerous parks, recreational facilities, and annual events.
Strategic location offering easy access to major cities like New York City and Philadelphia via road and public transit.
Lower municipal property taxes compared to neighboring towns in Mercer County.
Recognized as a "Healthy Town Gold Level" for its commitment to community health and wellness programs.
Drawbacks
Some residents desire more diverse dining and nightlife options.
Concerns about motor vehicle enforcement and reckless driving in certain areas.
Infrastructure improvements, such as addressing potholes, are desired by residents.
Limited public transportation options beyond key bus routes and the train station, leading to car dependency for many errands.
Average rent prices are higher than the national average.
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.
Hamilton Township
#21New Jersey, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,151
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
114
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
72.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
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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