Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Des Moines, IA
🏆 Des Moines leads 13 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273
Des Moines
Iowa
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
213,164 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $71k less ($99,700 vs $170,700)
Rent averages $108/mo less ($887 vs $995)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Milder winters — January highs near 37°F vs 31°F
Cons
Median income trails Des Moines by $15,782/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 5.9%)
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Households earn $15,782 more per year on average
14% less violent crime than Akron
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (5.9%)
More college-educated — 28.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cons
Violent crime (703.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3126.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Median Home Value
$71k less
$99,700 vs $170,700
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 92.8 on the COL index
Des Moines
Median Income
$15,782
$62,378 vs $46,596/yr
Des Moines
Violent Crime
14% lower
703.0 vs 820.3 per 100k
Des Moines
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $170,700 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $995 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $62,378 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 10.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 185⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 28.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 87.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Des Moines Independent Comm School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F ✓ Warmer | 30.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 85.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 36.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 36.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 213,164 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 34.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 60.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 23.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 12.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Des Moines's 92.7 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Des Moines leads 13 of 23 categories. Akron wins 10 and Des Moines wins 13. 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 Des Moines or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $170,700 median home), income ($46,596 vs $62,378), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Des Moines, IA are about 628 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.