City Comparison
Serian vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Serian scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Serian
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Serian is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
68% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Serian's average rent is
69% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Serian | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,123 | -69% |
| Groceries | $250 | $742 | -66% |
| Utilities | $75 | $234 | -68% |
| Transport | $90 | $357 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $60 | $130 | -54% |
| Monthly Total | $825 | $2,586 | -68% |
| Cost Index | 52 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 87% 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 Serian is estimated at
$7,500 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Serian | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $7,500 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 18,269 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $12,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Serian runs warmer on average — a 79.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Serian comes out ahead with 67 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Serian sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Serian | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 79.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 72.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 139.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 67 | |
| Humidity | 85.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Serian.
Serian scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Serian leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Serian | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Serian.
From a growth perspective, Serian is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Serian has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Serian | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,100 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | — |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Serian
Advantages
Cost of living and housing prices remain substantially lower than national urban averages per Department of Statistics Malaysia.
Strategic location along the Pan Borneo Highway provides seamless connectivity to Kuching and surrounding regions.
Rich multicultural heritage and vibrant local markets offering renowned Bornean produce and cuisine.
Low crime rate and strong community safety profile ideal for families and retirees.
Proximity to pristine natural attractions, waterfalls, and eco-tourism sites including the famous durian orchards.
Drawbacks
Reliance on major medical facilities in Kuching for advanced or specialized healthcare treatments.
Limited public transportation infrastructure outside of main highway bus routes and regional taxis.
Job market is relatively concentrated in public administration and agriculture, offering fewer corporate career paths.
High seasonal rainfall can occasionally impact outdoor activities and local rural transport routes.
Limited high-end entertainment, nightlife, and cultural venues compared to larger urban centers.
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.
Serian
#7Sarawak, Malaysia
83.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$9,500
Cost Index
52
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
67/yr
Avg Temp
79.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
76
Business
62
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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