City Comparison
York vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
York scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
York
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
43% higher compared to York.
Housing costs are a major driver: York's average rent is
140% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | York | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,700 | $1,123 | +140% |
| Groceries | $450 | $742 | -39% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $3,700 | $2,586 | +43% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 11% 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 York is estimated at
$55,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | York | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $121,250 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
York runs warmer on average — a 66.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, York comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — York sees 2.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | York | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 66.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 90.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 39.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to York.
York scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, York leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | York | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of York.
From a growth perspective, York is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, York has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | York | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,986 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | % |
| Median Age | 49.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.60% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
York
Advantages
York offers a high quality of life with beautiful beaches and a strong sense of community.
The town is considered safe, with crime rates significantly lower than the national average.
York's housing market, while appreciating, offers opportunities for both buyers and sellers, with a strong preference for homeownership.
The median household income in York is substantially higher than the national average, indicating economic stability.
York enjoys a considerable amount of sunshine throughout the year, with over 2,400 hours annually.
Drawbacks
The cost of living, particularly housing, is higher than the national average.
York's economy is heavily influenced by seasonal tourism, which can lead to fluctuations in employment and business activity.
Transportation is primarily car-dependent, with limited public transit options.
The median age is higher than the national average, suggesting a potentially slower-paced lifestyle that may not appeal to all demographics.
While generally safe, property crime rates are still a consideration for residents.
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.
York
#38Maine, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,700
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
66.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
74
Business
68
Akron
#156Ohio, USA
42.8 / 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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