Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Chattanooga, TN
🏆 Chattanooga leads 12 of 21 categories
Akron
Ohio
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
Chattanooga
Tennessee
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8
Median Household Income
$57,703 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
217⚠ High
Population
181,288
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $131k less ($99,700 vs $230,500)
Rent averages $179/mo less ($887 vs $1,066)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 91°F
Cons
Violent crime (820.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Chattanooga by $11,107/yr
Property crime (2955.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.7% vs 5.1%)
Chattanooga, TN
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (5.1%)
Households earn $11,107 more per year on average
More college-educated — 34.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 51°F vs 37°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
Violent crime (823.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3942.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Median Home Value
$131k less
$99,700 vs $230,500
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 92.8 on the COL index
Chattanooga
Median Income
$11,107
$57,703 vs $46,596/yr
Chattanooga
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
5.1% vs 7.7% unemployment
Chattanooga
Summer Heat
5.4°F warmer
July avg high 90.5°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chattanooga, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 | 92.8 |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $230,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,066 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $57,703 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 5.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 10.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High ✓ Safer | 217⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 188⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (101) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 34.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 89.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Hamilton County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 51.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 90.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 55.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 3.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 181,288 |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 37.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 53.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 15.5% | 17.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Chattanooga's 92.8 (US average = 100).
Both have a similar overall cost of living.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Chattanooga leads 12 of 21 categories. Akron wins 9 and Chattanooga wins 12. 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 Chattanooga or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $230,500 median home), income ($46,596 vs $57,703), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Chattanooga, TN are about 462 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.