Performance
Score Breakdown
Surrey
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Surrey is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
19% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Surrey's average rent is
30% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Surrey | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,462 | $1,123 | +30% |
| Groceries | $287 | $742 | -61% |
| Utilities | $122 | $234 | -48% |
| Transport | $80 | $357 | -78% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $130 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $2,101 | $2,586 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 53% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Surrey is estimated at
$45,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Surrey | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,490 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $66,000 |
| Household Income | $62,353 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Surrey | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Surrey.
Surrey scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Surrey | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 37 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 47.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 46.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 163.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Surrey is the larger city
— approximately 3.8x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Surrey 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 | Surrey | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 721,000 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | % |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Surrey
Advantages
Surrey is one of Canada's fastest-growing cities, with a rapidly increasing population and strong economic indicators. [cite: 15, 43, previous search]
The city boasts a robust and diverse economy, with a company growth rate of 2.2% as of October 2025. [cite: 2, previous search]
Surrey's unemployment rate is low at 5.1% (October 2025), indicating a healthy job market. [cite: 2, previous search]
Crime rates in Surrey are 12% lower than the British Columbia average, contributing to a sense of safety. [cite: 31, previous search]
The city offers a more affordable cost of living compared to Vancouver, particularly in housing. [cite: 24, 29, previous search]
Drawbacks
Despite being more affordable than Vancouver, housing costs in Surrey remain a significant expense, with a median home price of $845,000 CAD in April 2026.
The average commute time is approximately 37 minutes, and traffic congestion can be high.
Surrey is considered a car-dependent city, with a Walk Score of 46 and a Transit Score of 47. [cite: 6, 14, previous search]
While public transit is available, the options are somewhat limited compared to more densely populated urban centers. [cite: 14, previous search]
Home care costs can be substantial, averaging around $3,440 USD per month for moderate care.
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.
Surrey
#13British Columbia, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,462
Avg Salary
$34,490
Cost Index
Commute
37 min
Transit Score
47.0/10
Walkability
46.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
74
Business
75
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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