01 · the cities
Akron
Akron was the Rubber City (Goodyear, Firestone, BFGoodrich all built here), and the legacy still shapes its industrial bones. LeBron James is from Akron and never forgets it. The Goodyear blimp is based in town. The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is just north, with waterfalls and rail-trails. Cheaper than Cleveland, with its own quiet charm.
full dispatch→Buffalo
Buffalo invented the wing (Anchor Bar, 1964, midnight, blue cheese, celery, not negotiable) and that should tell you most of what you need to know about the city's spirit. The Bills Mafia jumps through tables in subzero parking lots. Niagara Falls is 20 minutes away. The architecture (Sullivan, Wright, Olmsted parks) is genuinely world-class. The snow is part of the local mythology and the locals wear it proudly.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,259/mo
$1,374/mo
$115/mo more than Akron (8%)
Median home price
Median home price
$236k
$280k
$43k more than Akron
State income tax
State income tax
4.0%
5.9%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,742/mo
$6,472/mo
Akron has $270/mo more gross after rent at $100k
Gross left after rent reflects state income tax but not federal, based on $100k salary. Enter your salary to find your ideal city.
03 · the weather
Pleasant days/yr
Pleasant days/yr
152 days
152 days
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
1 days
0 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
40 days
42 days
days below 20°F per year
Akron and Buffalo have remarkably similar weather profiles overall.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
65 / 100
66 / 100
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
11 routes
20 routes
9 more direct routes than Akron
Metro size
Metro size
698k metro
1.2M metro
Akron has 2.1x fewer events per month than Buffalo.
the verdict
4
Akron
categories won
1
Buffalo
categories won
Akron wins this comparison, leading on money.
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