Performance
Score Breakdown
Memphis
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Memphis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
19% lower compared to Akron.
| Metric | Memphis | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,210 | $1,123 | +8% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $250 | $234 | +7% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,100 | $2,586 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 38% 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 Memphis is estimated at
$70,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Memphis | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,562 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $51,736 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Memphis | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Memphis 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 | Memphis | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 20.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 19.40 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Memphis is the larger city
— approximately 3.2x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Memphis 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 | Memphis | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 609,647 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.70% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Memphis
Advantages
Memphis boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
The city has a vibrant cultural scene, particularly renowned for its rich musical heritage and diverse culinary offerings.
Utility rates in Memphis are among the lowest in the United States, contributing to overall affordability.
The rental market exhibits strong demand and low vacancy rates, indicating a stable environment for property owners and investors.
Memphis has seen significant reductions in overall and violent crime rates in 2025, with homicides declining by 26%.
Drawbacks
Memphis has experienced a consistent population decline in recent years, with a projected negative growth rate.
The city has a very high violent crime rate, significantly above the national average, despite recent reductions.
Despite low utility rates, a high energy burden disproportionately affects low-income households.
Memphis is a car-dependent city with low walkability and minimal public transit options.
Tennessee, as a state, ranks low in overall healthcare quality, which may reflect on city-level access and outcomes.
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.
Memphis
#128Tennessee, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,210
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
20.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
55
Business
62
Akron
#124Ohio, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$73,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
65
Business
55
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