City Comparison
West Hartford vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Hartford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
West Hartford
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in West Hartford.
Housing costs are a major driver: West Hartford's average rent is
74% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | West Hartford | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,123 | +74% |
| Groceries | $480 | $742 | -35% |
| Utilities | $195 | $234 | -17% |
| Transport | $130 | $357 | -64% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $130 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $3,015 | $2,586 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Hartford offers 12% higher 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 West Hartford is estimated at
$70,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | West Hartford | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,213 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
West Hartford runs warmer on average — a 51.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, West Hartford comes out ahead with 254 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — West Hartford sees 25.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | West Hartford | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
West Hartford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Hartford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | West Hartford | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of West Hartford.
From a growth perspective, West Hartford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, West Hartford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | West Hartford | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 64,000 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
West Hartford
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the top public school districts in the state of Connecticut.
Extremely low crime rates compared to national and state averages, ensuring a secure environment.
Vibrant, highly walkable downtown areas featuring acclaimed dining and shopping at West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square.
Abundant parks, recreational facilities, and proximity to the historic Elizabeth Park.
Strategic location with exceptional highway and transit access to major Greater Hartford employment centers.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national average.
Elevated property tax burdens typical of suburban municipalities in Connecticut.
Highly competitive real estate market with limited housing inventory for prospective buyers.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major corridors like I-84 and Farmington Avenue.
Cold, snowy winter conditions that require ongoing municipal snow removal and maintenance costs.
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.
West Hartford
#265Connecticut, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
89
Business
76
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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