Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Gainesville, FL
🏆 Gainesville leads 12 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
Gainesville
Florida
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.9
Median Household Income
$43,783
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
142,414
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $117k less ($99,700 vs $216,600)
Rent averages $264/mo less ($887 vs $1,151)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Households earn $2,813 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 91°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
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 5.5%)
Snowy winters — about 47" of snow per year
Gainesville, FL
Pros
10% less violent crime than Akron
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (5.5%)
More college-educated — 50.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 37°F
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (738.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2703.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Akron by $2,813/yr
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Akron
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 96.9 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Income
$2,813
$46,596 vs $43,783/yr
Akron
Median Home Value
$117k less
$99,700 vs $216,600
Gainesville
Violent Crime
10% lower
738.0 vs 820.3 per 100k
Gainesville
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
5.5% vs 7.7% unemployment
Gainesville
Summer Heat
6.0°F warmer
July avg high 91.1°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Gainesville, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 96.9 |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $216,600 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,151 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 ✓ Higher | $43,783 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min | 18.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 10.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 168⚠ 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 | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 50.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 93.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | ALACHUA |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 67.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 91.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 54.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 142,414 |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 26.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 38.5% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% ✓ More | 13.6% |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 11.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Gainesville's 96.9 (US average = 100).
Akron is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Gainesville leads 12 of 23 categories. Akron wins 11 and Gainesville wins 12. 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 Gainesville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $216,600 median home), income ($46,596 vs $43,783), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Gainesville, FL are about 789 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.