Performance
Score Breakdown
Prince George
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Prince George is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
45% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Prince George's average rent is
33% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Prince George | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $748 | $1,123 | -33% |
| Groceries | $450 | $742 | -39% |
| Utilities | $176 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $44 | $357 | -88% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $130 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,418 | $2,586 | -45% |
| Cost Index | 1633 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 96% 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 Prince George is estimated at
$3,413 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Prince George | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $3,181 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $3,413 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 195 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $104,700 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Prince George | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 57.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Prince George has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Akron.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Prince George | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Prince George.
From a growth perspective, Prince George 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 | Prince George | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,708 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | % |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.48% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Prince George
Advantages
Significantly lower housing costs compared to other major cities in British Columbia, offering substantial savings for residents.
Short average commute times, often around 15-17 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities year-round, including skiing, snowshoeing, and lake activities.
A resilient and diverse economy with strong sectors in forestry, resources, logistics, and healthcare.
Serves as a regional hub for education, healthcare, and government services, providing essential amenities and employment.
Drawbacks
Winters can be harsh with temperatures dropping significantly and substantial snowfall.
Labor market faces challenges due to an aging workforce and shortages in certain skilled trades and healthcare occupations.
Population growth has been modest, with recent stagnation attributed to a decline in non-permanent residents and limited net in-migration.
Competitiveness in industrial sectors needs to be improved relative to Northern Alberta, where land is cheaper and approvals are quicker.
Public transportation system is considered "okay" and car dependency is medium to high for most residents.
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.
Prince George
#13British Columbia, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$748
Avg Salary
$3,181
Cost Index
1633
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
5.48%
Livability
74
Business
68
Akron
#97Ohio, 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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