Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Durham, NC
🏆 Durham leads 13 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273
Durham
North Carolina
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.6
Median Household Income
$74,710 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
284,094 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $217k less ($99,700 vs $316,600)
Rent averages $409/mo less ($887 vs $1,296)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Smaller class sizes — 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Durham
Cons
Median income trails Durham by $28,114/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 4.3%)
Durham, NC
Pros
Households earn $28,114 more per year on average
25% less violent crime than Akron
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.4 pts lower (4.3%)
More college-educated — 53.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 49°F vs 37°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $316,600
Violent crime (619.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3799.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Akron
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 96.6 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$217k less
$99,700 vs $316,600
Durham
Median Income
$28,114
$74,710 vs $46,596/yr
Durham
Violent Crime
25% lower
619.2 vs 820.3 per 100k
Durham
Unemployment
3.4 pp lower
4.3% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Durham, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 96.6 |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $316,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,296 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $74,710 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 22.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 17.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 170⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 163⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 181⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A- (115) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 91.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Durham Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 48.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 87.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 50.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 5.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 284,094 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 34.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 52.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% ✓ More | 20.1% |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 12.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Durham's 96.6 (US average = 100).
Akron is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Durham leads 13 of 23 categories. Akron wins 10 and Durham 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 Durham or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $316,600 median home), income ($46,596 vs $74,710), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Durham, NC are about 380 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.