Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Hesperia, 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 ✓ Larger
Hesperia
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,698 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
137⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,878
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $238k less ($99,700 vs $337,600)
Rent averages $549/mo less ($887 vs $1,436)
Commutes run 20 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (7.7%)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Hesperia
More college-educated — 22.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Hesperia by $21,102/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
Hesperia, CA
Pros
Households earn $21,102 more per year on average
37% less violent crime than Akron
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 37°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $337,600
Higher rents — median is $1,436/mo
Violent crime (519.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Akron
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$238k less
$99,700 vs $337,600
Akron
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
7.7% vs 9.8% unemployment
Hesperia
Median Income
$21,102
$67,698 vs $46,596/yr
Hesperia
Violent Crime
37% lower
519.6 vs 820.3 per 100k
Hesperia
Summer Heat
11.7°F warmer
July avg high 96.8°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Hesperia, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $337,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,436⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $67,698 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 42.4 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 8.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 137⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 68 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% ✓ Higher | 10.9% |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 78.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Hesperia Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 60.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 96.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" | 11.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 99,878 |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 32.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 63.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 29.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 9.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Hesperia's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Akron is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Akron leads 12 of 23 categories. Akron wins 12 and Hesperia 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 Hesperia or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $337,600 median home), income ($46,596 vs $67,698), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Hesperia, CA are about 1,995 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.