Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Fresno, CA
🏆 Akron leads 12 of 23 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
Fresno
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,001 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $222k less ($99,700 vs $321,800)
Rent averages $340/mo less ($887 vs $1,227)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (7.7%)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Fresno
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 98°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
Median income trails Fresno by $16,405/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
Snowy winters — about 47" of snow per year
Fresno, CA
Pros
Households earn $16,405 more per year on average
10% less violent crime than Akron
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 37°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $321,800
Violent crime (735.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Akron
Property crime (3271.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$222k less
$99,700 vs $321,800
Akron
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
7.7% vs 9.0% unemployment
Fresno
Median Income
$16,405
$63,001 vs $46,596/yr
Fresno
Violent Crime
10% lower
735.5 vs 820.3 per 100k
Fresno
Summer Heat
12.6°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fresno, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 105.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $321,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,227 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $63,001 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 22.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 8.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 178⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 194⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 156⚠ High |
| 🎓 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 | 19.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 24.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 79.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Fresno Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" | 11.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 541,528 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 32.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 48.1% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 27.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 11.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Fresno's 105.0 (US average = 100).
Akron is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Akron leads 12 of 23 categories. Akron wins 12 and Fresno wins 11. 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 Fresno or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $321,800 median home), income ($46,596 vs $63,001), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Fresno, CA are about 2,062 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.