Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Kansas City, KS
🏆 Akron leads 15 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
Kansas City
Kansas
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3
Median Household Income
$56,120 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
276⚠ High
Population
155,438
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $34k less ($99,700 vs $133,800)
22% less violent crime than Kansas City
Rent averages $157/mo less ($887 vs $1,044)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 90°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 Kansas City by $9,524/yr
Property crime (2955.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.7% vs 6.0%)
Kansas City, KS
Pros
Households earn $9,524 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (6.0%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Cons
Violent crime (1047.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3606.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 93.3 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Violent Crime
22% lower
820.3 vs 1047.2 per 100k
Akron
Median Home Value
$34k less
$99,700 vs $133,800
Kansas City
Median Income
$9,524
$56,120 vs $46,596/yr
Kansas City
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
6.0% vs 7.7% unemployment
Kansas City
Summer Heat
5.1°F warmer
July avg high 90.2°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Kansas City, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 93.3 |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $133,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,044 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $56,120 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min | 21.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High ✓ Safer | 276⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 172⚠ High |
| 🎓 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 | 15.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% ✓ Higher | 19.7% |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 80.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Kansas City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 39.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 90.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 38.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 11.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 155,438 |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 34.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 59.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 27.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 13.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Kansas City's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Akron is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Akron leads 15 of 23 categories. Akron wins 15 and Kansas City wins 8. 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 Kansas City or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $133,800 median home), income ($46,596 vs $56,120), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Kansas City, KS are about 711 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.