Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Highlands Ranch, CO
🏆 Highlands Ranch leads 15 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
Highlands Ranch
Colorado
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$148,227 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
101,514
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $538k less ($99,700 vs $637,400)
Rent averages $1466/mo less ($887 vs $2,353)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Highlands Ranch
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Smaller class sizes — 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Highlands Ranch by $101,631/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 3.4%)
Highlands Ranch, CO
Pros
Households earn $101,631 more per year on average
83% less violent crime than Akron
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.3 pts lower (3.4%)
More college-educated — 65.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (138.1 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 37°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $637,400
Higher rents — median is $2,353/mo
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Akron
Snowy winters — about 64" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$538k less
$99,700 vs $637,400
Highlands Ranch
Median Income
$101,631
$148,227 vs $46,596/yr
Highlands Ranch
Violent Crime
83% lower
138.1 vs 820.3 per 100k
Highlands Ranch
Unemployment
4.3 pp lower
3.4% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Highlands Ranch, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $637,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $2,353⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $148,227 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 3.4% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 25.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 26.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 36 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 65 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A- (114) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 65.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 98.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Douglas County School District No. Re 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 44.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 87.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" | 18.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" ✓ Less | 64.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 101,514 |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 41.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 79.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 24.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 13.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Highlands Ranch's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Akron is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Highlands Ranch leads 15 of 23 categories. Akron wins 8 and Highlands Ranch wins 15. 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 Highlands Ranch or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $637,400 median home), income ($46,596 vs $148,227), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Highlands Ranch, CO are about 1,236 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.