Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Dallas, TX
🏆 Dallas leads 12 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273
Dallas
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,985 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
1,300,642 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $171k less ($99,700 vs $270,700)
Rent averages $418/mo less ($887 vs $1,305)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Dallas
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 97°F
Cons
Median income trails Dallas by $17,389/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 5.0%)
Dallas, TX
Pros
Households earn $17,389 more per year on average
20% less violent crime than Akron
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (5.0%)
More college-educated — 36.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 37°F
Cons
Violent crime (658.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3351.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
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
$171k less
$99,700 vs $270,700
Dallas
Median Income
$17,389
$63,985 vs $46,596/yr
Dallas
Violent Crime
20% lower
658.2 vs 820.3 per 100k
Dallas
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
5.0% vs 7.7% unemployment
Dallas
Summer Heat
11.8°F warmer
July avg high 96.9°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Dallas, 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 | $270,700 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,305 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $63,985 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 26.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 11.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 168⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 160⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 36.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 80.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | DALLAS ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 57.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 96.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 41.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 1.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 1,300,642 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 33.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 41.9% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 24.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 11.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Dallas's 103.3 (US average = 100).
Akron is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Dallas leads 12 of 23 categories. Akron wins 11 and Dallas 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 Dallas or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $270,700 median home), income ($46,596 vs $63,985), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Dallas, TX are about 1,016 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.