Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Glendale, AZ
🏆 Glendale leads 13 of 22 categories
Akron
Ohio
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273
Glendale
Arizona
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.6
Median Household Income
$66,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
129⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
248,083 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $210k less ($99,700 vs $310,000)
Rent averages $381/mo less ($887 vs $1,268)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 105°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Smaller class sizes — 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Glendale by $19,779/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 5.7%)
Glendale, AZ
Pros
40% less violent crime than Akron
Households earn $19,779 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (5.7%)
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 37°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $310,000
Violent crime (488.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2670.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 97.6 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$210k less
$99,700 vs $310,000
Glendale
Median Income
$19,779
$66,375 vs $46,596/yr
Glendale
Violent Crime
40% lower
488.4 vs 820.3 per 100k
Glendale
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
5.7% vs 7.7% unemployment
Glendale
Summer Heat
19.8°F warmer
July avg high 104.9°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Glendale, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 97.6 |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $310,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,268 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $66,375 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 28.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 128⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | B- (92) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 22.6% |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 84.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Peoria Unified School District (4237) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 65.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 104.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" | 8.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 0.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 248,083 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 34.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 57.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 25.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Glendale's 97.6 (US average = 100).
Akron is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Glendale leads 13 of 22 categories. Akron wins 9 and Glendale 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 Glendale or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $310,000 median home), income ($46,596 vs $66,375), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Glendale, AZ are about 1,754 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.