Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Downey, CA
🏆 Akron leads 13 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
Downey
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$84,236 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
113,052
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $579k less ($99,700 vs $679,000)
Rent averages $927/mo less ($887 vs $1,814)
23% cheaper overall cost of living than Downey
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Smaller class sizes — 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Downey by $37,640/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 5.6%)
Downey, CA
Pros
Households earn $37,640 more per year on average
44% less violent crime than Akron
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (5.6%)
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 37°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $679,000
Higher rents — median is $1,814/mo
Violent crime (460.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 23% higher than Akron
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
23% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$579k less
$99,700 vs $679,000
Akron
Summer Heat
3.7°F warmer
July avg high 85.1°F vs 81.4°F
Downey
Median Income
$37,640
$84,236 vs $46,596/yr
Downey
Violent Crime
44% lower
460.5 vs 820.3 per 100k
Downey
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
5.6% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Downey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $679,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,814⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $84,236 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 31.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% ✓ Higher | 7.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 123⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 121⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 25.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 80.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Downey Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 67.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F ✓ Warmer | 81.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" | 15.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 113,052 |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 36.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 49.4% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 22.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 13.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Downey's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Akron is 23% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Akron leads 13 of 23 categories. Akron wins 13 and Downey wins 10. 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 Downey or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $679,000 median home), income ($46,596 vs $84,236), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Downey, CA are about 2,050 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.