Performance
Score Breakdown
Hilo
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
12% higher compared to Hilo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hilo's average rent is
31% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Hilo | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,466 | $1,123 | +31% |
| Groceries | $600 | $742 | -19% |
| Utilities | $475 | $234 | +103% |
| Transport | $150 | $357 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $130 | +54% |
| Monthly Total | $2,891 | $2,586 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 146 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 43% 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 Hilo is estimated at
$98,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Hilo | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $41,708 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $98,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 28,567 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $81,779 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Hilo | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Hilo.
Hilo 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 | Hilo | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 23.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Hilo.
From a growth perspective, Hilo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hilo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hilo | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,404 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.78% | % |
| Median Age | 42.7 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hilo
Advantages
Hilo boasts a lush, tropical environment with abundant natural beauty, including waterfalls and volcanic landscapes.
The city is a cultural hub, hosting significant events like the Merrie Monarch Festival, celebrating Hawaiian culture.
The job market in Hilo saw a healthy employment growth rate of 4.88% from 2023 to 2024.
Healthcare and Educational Services are strong and growing industries, offering stable employment opportunities.
The homeownership rate in Hilo is 66.1%, which is higher than the national average.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Hilo is significantly higher than the national average, particularly for housing, utilities, and groceries.
Hilo has a high property crime rate, which is 41% higher than the national average, making residents more susceptible to theft.
Public transportation is minimal and unreliable, making the city largely car-dependent for daily errands and commutes.
Utility costs, especially for electricity, are exceptionally high due to reliance on imported fuel.
The average rent for apartments, particularly 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units, is considerably higher than many mainland cities.
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.
Hilo
#64Hawaii, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,466
Avg Salary
$41,708
Cost Index
146
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
23.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.78%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
Akron
#96Ohio, 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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