City Comparison
Heidelberg vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Heidelberg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Heidelberg
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Heidelberg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Heidelberg's average rent is
38% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Heidelberg | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,123 | +38% |
| Groceries | $420 | $742 | -43% |
| Utilities | $240 | $234 | +3% |
| Transport | $75 | $357 | -79% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $130 | +115% |
| Monthly Total | $2,565 | $2,586 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 21% 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 Heidelberg is estimated at
$48,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Heidelberg | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $55,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Heidelberg runs warmer on average — a 53°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Heidelberg comes out ahead with 242 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Heidelberg sees 6.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Heidelberg | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 242 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Heidelberg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Heidelberg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Heidelberg | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Heidelberg.
From a growth perspective, Heidelberg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Heidelberg | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 162,273 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | — |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Heidelberg
Advantages
Heidelberg University and major research institutes create a world-class innovation and employment hub.
Exceptional public transit, walkability, and extensive cycling infrastructure reduce car dependency.
Extremely low crime rates and high personal safety across all major neighborhoods.
Outstanding healthcare access anchored by the globally renowned Heidelberg University Hospital.
Proximity to nature with the Odenwald forest and Neckar River offering endless outdoor recreation.
Drawbacks
Housing and rental costs are significantly higher than the German national average.
High rental demand creates stiff competition for desirable apartments, especially in the Altstadt.
Tourist crowds in the historic center can cause congestion during peak travel seasons.
High local purchasing power and demand drive up everyday dining and lifestyle expenses.
Strict urban planning and protected historical zones limit new large-scale housing developments.
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.
Heidelberg
#37Baden-Württemberg, Germany
63.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
78.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
242/yr
Avg Temp
53.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
86
Business
78
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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