Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Elgin, IL
🏆 Akron leads 12 of 22 categories
Akron
Ohio
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
Elgin
Illinois
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $143k less ($99,700 vs $242,500)
Rent averages $303/mo less ($887 vs $1,190)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Elgin
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Milder winters — January highs near 37°F vs 30°F
Cons
Median income trails Elgin by $39,402/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 6.0%)
Elgin, IL
Pros
Households earn $39,402 more per year on average
67% less violent crime than Akron
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (6.0%)
More college-educated — 26.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Akron
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$143k less
$99,700 vs $242,500
Elgin
Median Income
$39,402
$85,998 vs $46,596/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
67% lower
266.7 vs 820.3 per 100k
Elgin
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
6.0% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Elgin, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $242,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,190 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $85,998 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 28.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 10.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 70 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 52 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B- (94) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 26.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 81.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | SD U-46 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F ✓ Warmer | 30.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F ✓ Warmer | 84.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 39.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 32.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 114,190 |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 35.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 71.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 26.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 12.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Elgin's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Akron is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Akron leads 12 of 22 categories. Akron wins 12 and Elgin 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 Elgin or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $242,500 median home), income ($46,596 vs $85,998), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Elgin, IL are about 358 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.