City Comparison
Manila vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Manila scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Manila
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Manila is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
58% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Manila's average rent is
51% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Manila | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $550 | $1,123 | -51% |
| Groceries | $250 | $742 | -66% |
| Utilities | $120 | $234 | -49% |
| Transport | $60 | $357 | -83% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $130 | -23% |
| Monthly Total | $1,080 | $2,586 | -58% |
| Cost Index | 38 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 87% 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 Manila is estimated at
$8,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Manila | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,600 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $8,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 25,263 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $12,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Manila runs warmer on average — a 82.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Manila comes out ahead with 129 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Manila sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Manila | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 82.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 75.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 93.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 129 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,500 minutes (192 hours) per year compared to Manila.
Manila scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Manila | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 45 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 82.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Manila is the larger city
— approximately 9.7x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Manila 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 | Manila | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,846,513 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | — |
| Median Age | 27.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Manila
Advantages
English proficiency is exceptionally high, making it one of the easiest Asian cities for English-speaking expats to navigate.
Thriving culinary and cafe culture offering diverse options from local street food to high-end international dining.
Lower overall cost of living compared to Western countries, stretching disposable income further.
Strategic hub in Southeast Asia with extensive flight connections across the region.
World-class private healthcare facilities offering advanced medical treatments at competitive prices.
Drawbacks
Severe traffic congestion heavily impacts daily commuting times and overall urban mobility.
Vulnerability to seasonal typhoons, monsoon flooding, and climate-related weather disruptions.
High density and rapid urbanization contribute to urban heat island effects and air quality challenges.
Wide income inequality is visible between affluent business districts and low-income residential areas.
Bureaucratic red tape can complicate administrative processes for business registration and residency.
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.
Manila
#6Luzon, Philippines
77.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$550
Avg Salary
$9,600
Cost Index
38
Commute
45 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
129/yr
Avg Temp
82.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
67
Business
72
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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