City Comparison
Red Beach vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Red Beach scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Red Beach
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Red Beach.
Housing costs are a major driver: Red Beach's average rent is
65% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Red Beach | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,123 | +65% |
| Groceries | $420 | $742 | -43% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $130 | $357 | -64% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $130 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,815 | $2,586 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 7% 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 Red Beach is estimated at
$58,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Red Beach | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,388 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $64,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Red Beach runs warmer on average — a 61.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Red Beach comes out ahead with 202 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Red Beach sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Red Beach | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 58.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 60.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 59.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 202 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Red Beach.
Red Beach scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Red Beach leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Red Beach | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Red Beach.
From a growth perspective, Red Beach 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 | Red Beach | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,820 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Red Beach
Advantages
Median home price and coastal property values are supported by strong long-term capital growth averaging over 5% per annum per Opes Partners data.
Exceptional access to natural beaches, coastal reserves, and outdoor recreation right at the doorstep.
High safety score and secure family-oriented community environment across local neighborhoods.
Proximity to the Hibiscus Coast busway station provides efficient commuter links into central Auckland.
Strong educational access with well-rated local schools serving families in the area.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and housing expenses are elevated relative to the national New Zealand average.
High car dependency for cross-region travel despite local bus connections.
Rental vacancy rates are tight, driving up weekly rental competition for newcomers.
Traffic congestion along arterial routes during peak morning and evening commute hours.
Limited large-scale industrial or corporate employment directly within the suburb limits local career diversity.
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.
Red Beach
#44Auckland, New Zealand
60.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
202/yr
Avg Temp
61.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
79
Business
70
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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