Performance
Score Breakdown
Hopkinsville
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hopkinsville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
24% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hopkinsville's average rent is
12% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Hopkinsville | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $989 | $1,123 | -12% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $218 | $234 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $1,977 | $2,586 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 14% 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 Hopkinsville is estimated at
$45,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Hopkinsville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,602 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,649 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $49,139 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Hopkinsville | 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
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Hopkinsville 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 | Hopkinsville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Hopkinsville.
From a growth perspective, Hopkinsville 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 | Hopkinsville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 30,395 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.90% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hopkinsville
Advantages
The cost of living in Hopkinsville is notably lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
Median home prices in Hopkinsville were up 4.6% year-over-year as of May 2026, indicating a growing housing market.
The city offers a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, contributing to a strong community vibe.
Hopkinsville provides convenient access to Fort Campbell and Clarksville, offering additional amenities and employment opportunities.
The average rent in Hopkinsville is significantly lower than the national average, making it affordable for renters.
Drawbacks
Hopkinsville's overall crime rate is 41% above the national average, with a safety grade of C-.
The city has a higher crime rate than 85% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Some residents report a limited nightlife and few decent dining options, with many establishments closing early.
There are concerns about a 'Good Ol Boy' system in local businesses and difficulty retaining new businesses.
The city's population is projected to be declining annually, with a -1.13% growth rate from 2025-2026.
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.
Hopkinsville
#64Kentucky, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$989
Avg Salary
$62,602
Cost Index
85
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.90%
Livability
70
Business
60
Akron
#97Ohio, 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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