City Comparison
Saint-Nazaire vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Saint-Nazaire scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Saint-Nazaire
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Saint-Nazaire | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,123 | -100% |
| Groceries | $450 | $742 | -39% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $1,000 | $2,586 | -61% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 38% 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 Saint-Nazaire is estimated at
$35,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Saint-Nazaire | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,368 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $35,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Saint-Nazaire runs warmer on average — a 56.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Saint-Nazaire comes out ahead with 234 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Saint-Nazaire sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Saint-Nazaire | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 40.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 234 | |
| Humidity | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Saint-Nazaire has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,000 minutes (183 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Saint-Nazaire scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Saint-Nazaire leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Saint-Nazaire | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Saint-Nazaire.
From a growth perspective, Saint-Nazaire 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 | Saint-Nazaire | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,568 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.83% | — |
| Median Age | 43.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 10.70% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Saint-Nazaire
Advantages
Strong industrial base with major employers like Chantiers de l'Atlantique and Airbus, ensuring job opportunities.
Affordable cost of living and housing compared to other major French cities.
Pleasant maritime lifestyle with proximity to beaches and the Atlantic coast.
Well-connected by rail and road, with easy access to Nantes and Paris.
Rich maritime history and cultural attractions, including museums and historical sites.
Drawbacks
The city's appearance can be less aesthetically pleasing due to post-WWII reconstruction with concrete buildings.
The expat community is relatively small, which may require more effort to build social circles.
Housing prices, while affordable compared to major cities, can still be expensive in desirable areas like the seafront.
While functional, public transport might not be as extensive as in larger metropolitan areas.
Winters can be long, windy, and cold, with frequent cloud cover.
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.
Saint-Nazaire
#43Pays de la Loire, France
52.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
234/yr
Avg Temp
56.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.83%
Unemployment
10.70%
Livability
74
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 Saint-Nazaire and Akron.
Open Cost Calculator