Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Indianapolis, IN
🏆 Akron leads 13 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
190,273
Indianapolis
Indiana
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.6
Median Household Income
$59,110 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
231⚠ High
Population
882,006 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $85k less ($99,700 vs $184,600)
7% less violent crime than Indianapolis
Rent averages $159/mo less ($887 vs $1,046)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
Violent crime (820.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Indianapolis by $12,514/yr
Property crime (2955.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.7% vs 5.6%)
Indianapolis, IN
Pros
Households earn $12,514 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (5.6%)
More college-educated — 33.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.6)
Cons
Violent crime (877.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3336.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 94.6 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Violent Crime
7% lower
820.3 vs 877.9 per 100k
Akron
Median Home Value
$85k less
$99,700 vs $184,600
Indianapolis
Median Income
$12,514
$59,110 vs $46,596/yr
Indianapolis
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
5.6% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Indianapolis, IN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 94.6 |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $184,600 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,046 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $59,110 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 24.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 10.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High ✓ Safer | 202⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High ✓ Safer | 231⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 159⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 33.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 87.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Indianapolis Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F ✓ Warmer | 34.2°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F ✓ Warmer | 83.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 41.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 25.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 882,006 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 34.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 54.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 24.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Indianapolis's 94.6 (US average = 100).
Akron is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Akron leads 13 of 23 categories. Akron wins 13 and Indianapolis wins 10. 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 Indianapolis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $184,600 median home), income ($46,596 vs $59,110), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Indianapolis, IN are about 259 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.