City Comparison
Junction City vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Junction City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Junction City
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Junction City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Junction City's average rent is
15% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Junction City | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,123 | -15% |
| Groceries | $380 | $742 | -49% |
| Utilities | $170 | $234 | -27% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $130 | +69% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,586 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 26% 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 Junction City is estimated at
$45,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Junction City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Junction City runs warmer on average — a 57°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Junction City comes out ahead with 285 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Junction City sees 14.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Junction City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 27.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 14.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Junction City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Junction City 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 | Junction City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Junction City.
From a growth perspective, Junction City 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 | Junction City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,932 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Junction City
Advantages
Median home prices in Junction City are significantly below the national average per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Proximity to Milford Lake provides exceptional outdoor recreation, boating, and fishing opportunities.
Strong local economy supported by stable employment tied to nearby Fort Riley.
Short average commute times enhance daily convenience and work-life balance.
Low cost of living index compared to national benchmarks.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit infrastructure.
Property crime rates slightly exceed national median figures in certain areas per FBI crime data.
Limited high-end entertainment and nightlife options within city limits.
Weather extremes including cold winters and severe storm potential during spring.
Rental market fluctuations influenced by military deployment cycles at Fort Riley.
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.
Junction City
#409Kansas, USA
58.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
57.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
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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