Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Detroit, MI
🏆 Akron leads 18 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
190,273
Detroit
Michigan
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$37,761
Violent Crime Index
469⚠ High
Population
636,787 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 7.0 pts lower (7.7%)
54% less violent crime than Detroit
Households earn $8,835 more per year on average
Rent averages $102/mo less ($887 vs $989)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
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
Snowy winters — about 47" of snow per year
Detroit, MI
Pros
Homes cost $33k less ($66,700 vs $99,700)
Cons
Violent crime (1781.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Akron by $8,835/yr
Property crime (4305.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (14.7% vs 7.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Income
$8,835
$46,596 vs $37,761/yr
Akron
Violent Crime
54% lower
820.3 vs 1781.3 per 100k
Akron
Unemployment
7.0 pp lower
7.7% vs 14.7% unemployment
Detroit
Median Home Value
$33k less
$66,700 vs $99,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Detroit, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 | $66,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $989 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 ✓ Higher | $37,761 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 14.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 25.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High ✓ Safer | 363⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High ✓ Safer | 469⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C (79) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% ✓ Higher | 16.9% |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 82.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Detroit Public Schools Community District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F ✓ Warmer | 33.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F ✓ Warmer | 84.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 34.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 30.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 636,787 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 35.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 48.8% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 24.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 14.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Detroit's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Akron is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Akron leads 18 of 23 categories. Akron wins 18 and Detroit wins 5. 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 Detroit or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $66,700 median home), income ($46,596 vs $37,761), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Detroit, MI are about 121 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.