Performance
Score Breakdown
Zamboanga City
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Zamboanga City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
56% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Zamboanga City's average rent is
88% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Zamboanga City | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $130 | $1,123 | -88% |
| Groceries | $450 | $742 | -39% |
| Utilities | $183 | $234 | -22% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $1,133 | $2,586 | -56% |
| 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 Zamboanga City is estimated at
$55,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Zamboanga City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Zamboanga City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Zamboanga City.
Zamboanga City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Zamboanga City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Zamboanga City | 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 | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Zamboanga City is the larger city
— approximately 5.4x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Zamboanga City 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 | Zamboanga City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,018,894 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.00% | % |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Zamboanga City
Advantages
Zamboanga City offers a low cost of living, with an index of 95, making it more affordable than many other cities in the Philippines.
The city is experiencing robust economic growth, with a GDP growth rate of 4.9% in 2024, positioning it as a key economic hub in the Zamboanga Peninsula region.
Housing is notably affordable, with median rents for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center around $130 USD.
The city is actively improving its business environment through initiatives like the electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS), enhancing the ease of doing business.
Zamboanga City Medical Center is a significant healthcare provider, expanding its services and representing the Philippines in international healthcare forums.
Drawbacks
The city has a safety index of 40, indicating potential safety concerns that require residents to be vigilant and informed about current conditions.
Infrastructure challenges, including power fluctuations and connectivity issues, have been identified as constraints to business expansion and investment.
While improving, access to healthcare services can be uneven, with some vulnerable barangays reporting a lack of essential services.
The region faces underemployment challenges, with a rate of 18.9% as of January 2024, indicating that many individuals are seeking additional work or better-paying jobs.
The city's remote location can contribute to challenges with port efficiency and broadband access, impacting logistics and digital connectivity.
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.
Zamboanga City
#1Mindanao, Philippines
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$130
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
68
Akron
#127Ohio, 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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