City Comparison
Meriden vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Meriden scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Meriden
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Meriden is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Meriden's average rent is
38% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Meriden | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,123 | +38% |
| Groceries | $420 | $742 | -43% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $130 | $357 | -64% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $130 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,520 | $2,586 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 11% 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 Meriden is estimated at
$58,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Meriden | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,725 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $68,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Meriden runs warmer on average — a 51.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Meriden comes out ahead with 252 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Meriden sees 24.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Meriden | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Meriden.
Meriden 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 | Meriden | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Meriden.
From a growth perspective, Meriden 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 | Meriden | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,860 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Meriden
Advantages
Median home prices in Meriden remain significantly lower than the Connecticut state average, offering strong value for first-time buyers per Zillow 2025 data.
Hubbard Park provides 1,800+ acres of scenic outdoor recreation, hiking trails, and the iconic Castle Craig tower.
Exceptional regional transit access via the Meriden Hartford Line rail station connecting to New Haven and Hartford.
Strategic geographic location at the crossroads of I-91, I-691, and Route 15, facilitating easy commutes.
Home to MidState Medical Center, offering top-tier healthcare facilities and employment opportunities.
Drawbacks
Property tax rates in Meriden are relatively high, reflective of broader municipal tax structures across Connecticut.
Public school performance metrics vary by district zone, prompting mixed reviews from families.
Walkability is limited outside of the immediate downtown commercial district, resulting in high car dependency.
Traffic congestion along major arteries like I-91 and Route 15 during peak morning and evening rush hours.
Economic mobility and median household income lag slightly behind affluent neighboring suburbs.
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.
Meriden
#474Connecticut, USA
54.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
69
Business
64
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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