City Comparison
Hamm vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hamm scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hamm
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hamm is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Akron.
| Metric | Hamm | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,123 | -2% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $90 | $357 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $130 | +69% |
| Monthly Total | $1,990 | $2,586 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 34% 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 Hamm is estimated at
$42,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Hamm | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,526 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $45,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hamm runs warmer on average — a 51.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hamm comes out ahead with 240 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hamm sees 7.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hamm | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 72.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 7.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Hamm.
Hamm scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hamm leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hamm | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 85.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Hamm.
From a growth perspective, Hamm 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 | Hamm | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,871 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hamm
Advantages
Median rental prices in Hamm are significantly lower than the broader Hamburg average per official municipal rent indexes.
Exceptional public transit connectivity allows commutes to downtown Hamburg in under 15 minutes via U-Bahn and S-Bahn.
Abundant green spaces, including Hammer Park and the Bille riverbanks, provide strong outdoor recreational opportunities.
A thriving multicultural culinary scene and local cultural hubs like Fabrik der Künste enrich the neighborhood character.
Extensive bicycle infrastructure and high walkability reduce reliance on private vehicles.
Drawbacks
Taxable household incomes and average earnings are noticeably lower than the broader Hamburg municipal average.
Higher population density and compact apartment layouts limit options for large families seeking spacious housing.
Certain pockets experience localized property crime and minor urban friction common to inner-city transit corridors.
The tight rental market makes securing desirable apartments highly competitive despite lower base prices.
The district lacks high-end luxury retail and upscale entertainment venues found in central Hamburg.
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.
Hamm
#71Hamburg, Germany
58.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
85.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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