Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Grand Rapids, MI
🏆 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 ✓ Safer
Population
190,273
Grand Rapids
Michigan
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.2
Median Household Income
$61,634 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
240⚠ High
Population
198,096 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $104k less ($99,700 vs $203,900)
10% less violent crime than Grand Rapids
Rent averages $251/mo less ($887 vs $1,138)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Milder winters — January highs near 37°F vs 31°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (820.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Grand Rapids by $15,038/yr
Property crime (2955.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.7% vs 5.6%)
Grand Rapids, MI
Pros
Households earn $15,038 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (5.6%)
More college-educated — 39.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (910.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2480.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 75" of snow per year
Cost of living runs 2% higher than Akron
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 95.2 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Violent Crime
10% lower
820.3 vs 910.1 per 100k
Akron
Median Home Value
$104k less
$99,700 vs $203,900
Grand Rapids
Median Income
$15,038
$61,634 vs $46,596/yr
Grand Rapids
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
5.6% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Grand Rapids, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 95.2 |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $203,900 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,138 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $61,634 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 10.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High ✓ Safer | 191⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High ✓ Safer | 240⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 39.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 89.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Grand Rapids Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F ✓ Warmer | 30.5°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F ✓ Warmer | 82.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 39.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" ✓ Less | 74.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 198,096 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 31.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 54.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 21.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Grand Rapids's 95.2 (US average = 100).
Akron is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Akron leads 12 of 23 categories. Akron wins 12 and Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $203,900 median home), income ($46,596 vs $61,634), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Grand Rapids, MI are about 249 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.