Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Garland, TX
🏆 Garland 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
Garland
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,044 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
61 ✓ Safer
Population
244,026 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $129k less ($99,700 vs $229,000)
Rent averages $534/mo less ($887 vs $1,421)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Garland
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 94°F
Cons
Median income trails Garland by $24,448/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 5.2%)
Garland, TX
Pros
72% less violent crime than Akron
Households earn $24,448 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (5.2%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (232.7 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 37°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,421/mo
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Akron
Longer commutes — 29.7 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$129k less
$99,700 vs $229,000
Garland
Median Income
$24,448
$71,044 vs $46,596/yr
Garland
Violent Crime
72% lower
232.7 vs 820.3 per 100k
Garland
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
5.2% vs 7.7% unemployment
Garland
Summer Heat
9.2°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Garland, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 103.3⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $229,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,421⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $71,044 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 29.7 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 9.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 75 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 61 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 95 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 24.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 78.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | GARLAND ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 41.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 0.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 244,026 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 34.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 62.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 25.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 12.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Garland's 103.3 (US average = 100).
Akron is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Garland leads 13 of 23 categories. Akron wins 10 and Garland 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 Garland or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $229,000 median home), income ($46,596 vs $71,044), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Garland, TX are about 1,005 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.