Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
East Los Angeles, CA
🏆 Akron leads 14 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
East Los Angeles
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,119 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
147⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
117,222
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $483k less ($99,700 vs $582,400)
Rent averages $482/mo less ($887 vs $1,369)
23% cheaper overall cost of living than East Los Angeles
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 22.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
Median income trails East Los Angeles by $17,523/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 6.3%)
East Los Angeles, CA
Pros
32% less violent crime than Akron
Households earn $17,523 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (6.3%)
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 37°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $582,400
Higher rents — median is $1,369/mo
Violent crime (558.4/100k) 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
$483k less
$99,700 vs $582,400
Akron
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 85.1°F vs 82.0°F
East Los Angeles
Median Income
$17,523
$64,119 vs $46,596/yr
East Los Angeles
Violent Crime
32% lower
558.4 vs 820.3 per 100k
East Los Angeles
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
6.3% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | East Los Angeles, 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 | $582,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,369⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $64,119 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 6.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 30.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% ✓ Higher | 6.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 147⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 91 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C- (68) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% ✓ Higher | 11.0% |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 55.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Animo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 68.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F ✓ Warmer | 82.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" | 14.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 117,222 |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 33.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 34.9% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 24.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 10.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs East Los Angeles's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Akron is 23% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Akron leads 14 of 23 categories. Akron wins 14 and East Los Angeles wins 9. 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 East Los Angeles or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $582,400 median home), income ($46,596 vs $64,119), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and East Los Angeles, CA are about 2,049 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.