Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Joliet, IL
🏆 Akron leads 14 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
Joliet
Illinois
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$84,971 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
150,221
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $134k less ($99,700 vs $233,800)
Rent averages $287/mo less ($887 vs $1,174)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Joliet
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Milder winters — January highs near 37°F vs 31°F
Cons
Median income trails Joliet by $38,375/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 6.2%)
Joliet, IL
Pros
Households earn $38,375 more per year on average
57% less violent crime than Akron
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (6.2%)
Cons
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Akron
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$134k less
$99,700 vs $233,800
Joliet
Median Income
$38,375
$84,971 vs $46,596/yr
Joliet
Violent Crime
57% lower
350.0 vs 820.3 per 100k
Joliet
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
6.2% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Joliet, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $233,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,174 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $84,971 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% ✓ Higher | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 92 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 59 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 24.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 84.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Joliet PSD 86 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F ✓ Warmer | 31.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F ✓ Warmer | 83.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 40.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 16.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 150,221 |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 34.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 72.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 10.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Joliet's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Akron is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Akron leads 14 of 23 categories. Akron wins 14 and Joliet wins 9. 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 Joliet or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $233,800 median home), income ($46,596 vs $84,971), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Joliet, IL are about 345 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.