City Comparison
Salt Lake City vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Salt Lake City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Salt Lake City
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
11% higher compared to Salt Lake City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Salt Lake City's average rent is
43% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,606 | $1,123 | +43% |
| Groceries | $450 | $742 | -39% |
| Utilities | $315 | $234 | +35% |
| Transport | $376 | $357 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $135 | $130 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,882 | $2,586 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 14% 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 Salt Lake City is estimated at
$65,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,823 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,831 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $75,090 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Salt Lake City runs warmer on average — a 55.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Salt Lake City comes out ahead with 295 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Salt Lake City sees 46.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 25.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 46.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 295 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Salt Lake City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Salt Lake City is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Salt Lake City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 222,706 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.96% | % |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Salt Lake City
Advantages
Exceptional access to outdoor recreation, including world-class skiing and hiking, is available within a short drive.
The job market is thriving, particularly in tech, healthcare, and professional services, with a 1.3% job growth rate in 2025.
Salt Lake City boasts a vibrant cultural scene, including a lively downtown, diverse dining, and arts.
Utilities costs are approximately 16% lower than the national average, helping to offset other expenses.
The city has a relatively young median age of 32.9 years, contributing to a dynamic and active community.
Drawbacks
The cost of living is higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing expenses which are 20% more expensive.
Salt Lake City experiences periods of poor air quality, especially during winter inversions.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, and public transportation options are considered limited, leading to medium car dependency.
The median household income, while competitive, is lower than the state average.
The city's rapid growth has led to increased demand for housing and infrastructure, contributing to affordability challenges.
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.
Salt Lake City
#65Utah, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,606
Avg Salary
$62,823
Cost Index
105
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
295/yr
Avg Temp
55.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.96%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
76
Business
72
Akron
#156Ohio, USA
42.8 / 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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