City Comparison
Saguenay vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Saguenay scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Saguenay
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Saguenay is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Saguenay's average rent is
15% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Saguenay | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,123 | -15% |
| Groceries | $380 | $742 | -49% |
| Utilities | $150 | $234 | -36% |
| Transport | $100 | $357 | -72% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $130 | +38% |
| Monthly Total | $1,760 | $2,586 | -32% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 29% 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 Saguenay is estimated at
$42,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Saguenay | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,091 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $68,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Saguenay runs warmer on average — a 38.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Saguenay comes out ahead with 214 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Saguenay sees 82 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Saguenay | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 73.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | -0.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 82.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 214 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Saguenay scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Saguenay leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Saguenay | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Saguenay.
From a growth perspective, Saguenay 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 | Saguenay | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 144,700 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 45.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Saguenay
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates are significantly lower than the Canadian national average, offering high housing affordability.
Exceptional access to pristine natural environments, including the Saguenay Fjord and world-class winter recreation.
Very low crime rates and high community safety across all major boroughs.
Stable regional economy anchored by key industrial employers, healthcare, and higher education.
Short average commute times that reduce daily stress compared to major metropolitan centers.
Drawbacks
Harsh winter conditions with heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures require robust preparation and higher heating costs.
Public transit options are limited outside of core urban routes, making car ownership practically essential.
Limited job market diversification outside of traditional industrial sectors, healthcare, and public administration.
Smaller local market can mean fewer specialized retail and entertainment options compared to Montreal or Quebec City.
Bilingualism is less prevalent in daily commerce compared to larger cosmopolitan hubs, requiring working proficiency in French.
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.
Saguenay
#18Quebec, Canada
68.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
214/yr
Avg Temp
38.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
80
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
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