Performance
Score Breakdown
Moreno Valley
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
23% higher compared to Moreno Valley.
Housing costs are a major driver: Moreno Valley's average rent is
67% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Moreno Valley | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,881 | $1,123 | +67% |
| Groceries | $413 | $742 | -44% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $410 | $357 | +15% |
| Healthcare | $302 | $130 | +132% |
| Monthly Total | $3,186 | $2,586 | +23% |
| Cost Index | 117 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 19% 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 Moreno Valley is estimated at
$70,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Moreno Valley | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,932 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,369 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $93,222 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Moreno Valley | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 60.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Moreno Valley.
Moreno Valley 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 | Moreno Valley | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Moreno Valley is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Moreno Valley 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 | Moreno Valley | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 215,549 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | % |
| Median Age | 32.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Moreno Valley
Advantages
More affordable housing market compared to other major Southern California cities, with median home prices significantly lower than Murrieta and Temecula.
Strategic location with direct freeway access to Los Angeles and Orange County, offering shorter commute times for many.
Growing industrial sector, particularly in logistics and warehousing, providing steady employment opportunities.
Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters, conducive to outdoor activities year-round.
Diverse and relatively young population, contributing to a vibrant community atmosphere.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is 17% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing and transportation costs.
Higher violent and property crime rates compared to national averages.
Heavily car-dependent city with a walk score of 0, necessitating a car for most daily activities.
Recent job growth has seen a decline of 1.38% in employment from June 2025 to June 2026.
School performance and safety statistics reportedly lag behind some neighboring cities like Murrieta and Temecula.
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.
Moreno Valley
#64California, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,881
Avg Salary
$58,932
Cost Index
117
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
65
Business
70
Akron
#92Ohio, 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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