City Comparison
Mount Gambier vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mount Gambier scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mount Gambier
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mount Gambier is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mount Gambier's average rent is
11% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Mount Gambier | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,123 | +11% |
| Groceries | $380 | $742 | -49% |
| Utilities | $160 | $234 | -32% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $130 | +54% |
| Monthly Total | $2,100 | $2,586 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 26% 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 Mount Gambier is estimated at
$45,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Mount Gambier | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $53,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mount Gambier runs warmer on average — a 57.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mount Gambier comes out ahead with 245 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mount Gambier sees 0.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mount Gambier | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 56.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 54.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 26.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mount Gambier has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Mount Gambier scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mount Gambier leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mount Gambier | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Mount Gambier.
From a growth perspective, Mount Gambier 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 | Mount Gambier | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,639 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mount Gambier
Advantages
Median home purchase prices are significantly lower than Adelaide and Melbourne averages per real estate data.
Average commute times are under 15 minutes, offering substantial time savings compared to capital cities.
Proximity to world-class natural attractions including the Blue Lake and Coonawarra wine region.
Strong and stable employment opportunities in the thriving forestry, agriculture, and healthcare sectors.
Active community with numerous sports clubs, parks, and family-oriented recreational facilities.
Drawbacks
Public transit options are limited, making private vehicle ownership practically essential for daily life.
Renting can experience tight market conditions during peak regional migration periods.
Highly specialized medical treatments may require travel to Adelaide.
Cool and damp winter weather conditions can be prolonged.
Distance from major capital cities means higher freight and travel costs for certain goods.
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.
Mount Gambier
#10South Australia, Australia
63.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
57.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
77
Business
68
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Mount Gambier and Akron.
Open Cost Calculator