City Comparison
Mardan vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mardan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mardan
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mardan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
85% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mardan's average rent is
88% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Mardan | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $130 | $1,123 | -88% |
| Groceries | $140 | $742 | -81% |
| Utilities | $45 | $234 | -81% |
| Transport | $30 | $357 | -92% |
| Healthcare | $35 | $130 | -73% |
| Monthly Total | $380 | $2,586 | -85% |
| Cost Index | 28 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 97% 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 Mardan is estimated at
$2,100 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Mardan | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $2,400 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $2,100 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 8,571 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $3,600 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mardan runs warmer on average — a 70.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mardan comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mardan sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mardan | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 70.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 93.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 41.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Mardan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mardan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mardan | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mardan is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Mardan 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 | Mardan | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 435,000 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | — |
| Median Age | 23.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.10% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mardan
Advantages
Cost of living is exceptionally low, offering high purchasing power for basic necessities
Rich historical and cultural heritage featuring UNESCO sites like Takht-i-Bahi
Expanding higher education sector anchored by Abdul Wali Khan University
Strong community support networks and traditional Pashtun hospitality
Pleasant proximity to scenic valley foothills and agricultural landscapes
Drawbacks
Summer temperatures can be quite intense during peak months
Limited high-paying formal corporate job market compared to major national hubs
Public transport infrastructure lacks modern integrated mass transit systems
Specialized medical care requires travel to larger neighboring cities
Traffic congestion and air quality challenges during peak hours in central bazaars
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.
Mardan
#5Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
76.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$130
Avg Salary
$2,400
Cost Index
28
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
70.30°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
6.10%
Livability
67
Business
60
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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