Performance
Score Breakdown
Sharjah City
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sharjah City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
34% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sharjah City's average rent is
21% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Sharjah City | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $882 | $1,123 | -21% |
| Groceries | $327 | $742 | -56% |
| Utilities | $270 | $234 | +15% |
| Transport | $68 | $357 | -81% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $130 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $1,697 | $2,586 | -34% |
| Cost Index | 50 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 28% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sharjah City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sharjah City is estimated at
$20,677 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Sharjah City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,316 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $20,677 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 104,632 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $37,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Sharjah City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Sharjah City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sharjah City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sharjah City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 68.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 303.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sharjah City is the larger city
— approximately 10x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Sharjah City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sharjah City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Sharjah City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,899,202 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.13% | % |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.17% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Sharjah City
Advantages
Sharjah offers a more affordable cost of living compared to neighboring Dubai, particularly in terms of accommodation.
The city is consistently ranked among the safest globally, with a high safety index score of 84.5 in January 2026.
Sharjah's economy is experiencing strong growth, with a 45% increase in new jobs created in H1 2025 and a 14% rise in new business registrations in 2025.
The healthcare system provides quality medical services with 10 hospitals and medical centers, and the UAE ranks highly in global healthcare quality indicators.
Sharjah is a cultural and educational hub, recognized by UNESCO, offering a rich heritage and a family-friendly environment.
Drawbacks
Sharjah experiences high car dependency, with over 83% of commuters using cars, leading to significant traffic congestion.
The city's walkability score is moderate at 68, indicating that some errands require a car.
Summers are very hot and arid, with average temperatures often exceeding 30-35°C, which can be challenging for outdoor activities.
Specific data for certain city-level metrics like median age and unemployment rate are not readily available, often requiring reliance on broader UAE national data.
While public transport exists, the high car dependency suggests that the public transit network may not be as comprehensive or preferred as private vehicles.
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.
Sharjah City
#2Sharjah, UAE
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$882
Avg Salary
$52,316
Cost Index
50
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
68.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
5.13%
Unemployment
2.17%
Livability
77
Business
80
Akron
#97Ohio, USA
60.0 / 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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