Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Allen, TX
🏆 Allen leads 15 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
Allen
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$121,259 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
28 ✓ Safer
Population
105,444
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $291k less ($99,700 vs $390,200)
Rent averages $860/mo less ($887 vs $1,747)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Allen
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 95°F
Cons
Median income trails Allen by $74,663/yr
Violent crime (820.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2955.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.7% vs 4.3%)
Allen, TX
Pros
Households earn $74,663 more per year on average
87% less violent crime than Akron
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.4 pts lower (4.3%)
More college-educated — 55.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (106.4 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 37°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $390,200
Higher rents — median is $1,747/mo
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Akron
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$291k less
$99,700 vs $390,200
Allen
Median Income
$74,663
$121,259 vs $46,596/yr
Allen
Violent Crime
87% lower
106.4 vs 820.3 per 100k
Allen
Unemployment
3.4 pp lower
4.3% vs 7.7% unemployment
Allen
Summer Heat
9.9°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Allen, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 103.3⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $390,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,747⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $121,259 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 27.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 21.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 28 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 42 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A (125) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 55.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 95.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | ALLEN ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 55.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 40.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 2.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 105,444 |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 70.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 25.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 10.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Allen's 103.3 (US average = 100).
Akron is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Allen leads 15 of 23 categories. Akron wins 8 and Allen wins 15. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Akron to Allen or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $390,200 median home), income ($46,596 vs $121,259), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Allen, TX are about 998 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.