City Comparison
Johannesburg vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Johannesburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Johannesburg
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Johannesburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Johannesburg's average rent is
15% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Johannesburg | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,123 | -15% |
| Groceries | $350 | $742 | -53% |
| Utilities | $160 | $234 | -32% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $130 | +38% |
| Monthly Total | $1,750 | $2,586 | -32% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 67% 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 Johannesburg is estimated at
$18,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Johannesburg | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $24,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $18,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $22,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Johannesburg runs warmer on average — a 61.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Johannesburg comes out ahead with 225 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Johannesburg sees 3.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Johannesburg | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 63.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 59.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 225 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,000 minutes (183 hours) per year compared to Johannesburg.
Johannesburg 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 | Johannesburg | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 44 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 68.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Johannesburg is the larger city
— approximately 30.9x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Johannesburg 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 | Johannesburg | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,854,200 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.60% | — |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 30.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Johannesburg
Advantages
Thriving corporate and financial hub housing the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and major multinational headquarters.
Exceptional climate featuring over 200 days of sunshine annually and extensive green urban forestry.
World-class private healthcare infrastructure with internationally accredited hospitals and specialists.
Vibrant cultural scene, featuring acclaimed museums, galleries, dining establishments, and a rich musical heritage.
Favorable cost of living and housing value for professionals earning competitive local salaries or remote foreign income.
Drawbacks
Elevated crime rates requiring vigilant personal security measures and gated residential environments.
Significant traffic congestion during peak commuting hours across major metropolitan highway corridors.
Fragmented public mass transit network leading to heavy reliance on private automobiles and rideshares.
Municipal infrastructure challenges, including occasional power interruptions and water supply maintenance issues.
Broader regional and national unemployment pressures impacting broader socio-economic stability.
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.
Johannesburg
#38Gauteng, South Africa
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$24,000
Cost Index
45
Commute
44 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
225/yr
Avg Temp
61.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
30.20%
Livability
70
Business
74
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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