01 · the cities
Harrisburg
Harrisburg is the Pennsylvania state capital sitting on the Susquehanna River, with a gorgeous Beaux-Arts capitol building (Theodore Roosevelt called it the handsomest building he ever saw). City Island in the middle of the river is a small park with minor league baseball. Hershey is 15 minutes east (yes, that Hershey). Slower-paced than its metro neighbors.
full dispatch→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→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,446/mo
$1,259/mo
$187/mo less than Harrisburg (15%)
Median home price
Median home price
$309k
$236k
$72k less than Harrisburg
State income tax
State income tax
3.1%
4.0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,632/mo
$6,742/mo
Akron has $110/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
3 days
1 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
33 days
40 days
days below 20°F per year
Akron drops below 20°F on 7 more days per year than Harrisburg.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
69 / 100
65 / 100
4.0 pts behind Harrisburg
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
12 routes
11 routes
Metro size
Metro size
606k metro
698k metro
Harrisburg and Akron have similar event volume.
the verdict
3
Harrisburg
categories won
3
Akron
categories won
Harrisburg wins on weather and lifestyle, Akron wins on money. Dead even.
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