Performance
Score Breakdown
Thames
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% higher compared to Thames.
Housing costs are a major driver: Thames's average rent is
47% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Thames | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,656 | $1,123 | +47% |
| Groceries | $350 | $742 | -53% |
| Utilities | $325 | $234 | +39% |
| Transport | $90 | $357 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,671 | $2,586 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 22% 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 Thames is estimated at
$55,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Thames | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,880 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,874 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $41,200 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Thames | 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
Thames has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,000 minutes (183 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Thames scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Thames leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Thames | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Thames 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 | Thames | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,230 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 54.9 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Thames
Advantages
Affordable cost of living compared to major New Zealand cities.
Rich gold mining history and a vibrant arts community.
Relatively safe environment with a lower crime rate than the national average.
Scenic location at the southwestern end of the Coromandel Peninsula.
Moderate car dependency and decent transit/walkability scores.
Drawbacks
Rising unemployment rate, reaching a decade-high in the Thames-Coromandel District.
High average house prices despite recent falls, making homeownership challenging.
Higher median age compared to the national average, potentially indicating an aging population.
Economic conditions can be challenging, with some industries declining.
Crime rate in the wider district has seen an increase.
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.
Thames
#1Waikato, New Zealand
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,656
Avg Salary
$56,880
Cost Index
95
Commute
min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
Akron
#124Ohio, 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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