City Comparison
Invercargill vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Invercargill scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Invercargill
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Invercargill.
Housing costs are a major driver: Invercargill's average rent is
76% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Invercargill | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,980 | $1,123 | +76% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $196 | $234 | -16% |
| Transport | $90 | $357 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,916 | $2,586 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 25% 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 Invercargill is estimated at
$55,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Invercargill | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,050 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,947 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $60,982 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Invercargill runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Invercargill comes out ahead with 181 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Invercargill sees 8.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Invercargill | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 50.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 48.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 57.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 181 | |
| Humidity | 84.60% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Invercargill.
Invercargill scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Invercargill leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Invercargill | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Invercargill.
From a growth perspective, Invercargill 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 | Invercargill | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,600 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Invercargill
Advantages
Invercargill is one of New Zealand's most affordable cities, with significantly lower living costs and housing prices compared to major centers.
The city offers excellent access to natural beauty, including Fiordland, The Catlins, and Stewart Island, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
Invercargill boasts strong community infrastructure, including modern sporting facilities like a stadium, velodrome, and aquatic center.
The housing market is accessible for first-home buyers, with a median rent of NZD 495 per week and a median property price of NZD 547,087 as of August 2026.
The city has a lower crime rate compared to the national average, contributing to a safe living environment.
Drawbacks
The weather in Invercargill is known for being cool and often rainy, with winters that can get quite cold.
Employment opportunities can be more limited compared to larger New Zealand cities, with a strong reliance on primary industries.
The nightlife and entertainment options are generally quieter than in larger urban centers.
Invercargill can feel geographically isolated from other major cities in New Zealand, requiring longer travel times.
While generally safe, Invercargill Central has a crime rate of 545.307 crimes per thousand residents, with theft being the most common offense.
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.
Invercargill
#46Southland, New Zealand
59.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,980
Avg Salary
$55,050
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
181/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.10%
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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