Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Lincoln, NE
🏆 Lincoln leads 17 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273
Lincoln
Nebraska
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,846 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
290,531 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $131k less ($99,700 vs $230,400)
Rent averages $111/mo less ($887 vs $998)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
Median income trails Lincoln by $21,250/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 3.3%)
Lincoln, NE
Pros
58% less violent crime than Akron
Households earn $21,250 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.4 pts lower (3.3%)
More college-educated — 40.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.0)
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Median Home Value
$131k less
$99,700 vs $230,400
Lincoln
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 92.0 vs 92.8 (100 = US avg)
Lincoln
Median Income
$21,250
$67,846 vs $46,596/yr
Lincoln
Violent Crime
58% lower
347.9 vs 820.3 per 100k
Lincoln
Unemployment
4.4 pp lower
3.3% vs 7.7% unemployment
Lincoln
Summer Heat
4.3°F warmer
July avg high 89.4°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lincoln, NE |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 | 92.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $230,400 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $998 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $67,846 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 3.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 8.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 92 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 40.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 92.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F ✓ Warmer | 35.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 89.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" | 30.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 26.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 290,531 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 33.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 22.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 14.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Lincoln's 92.0 (US average = 100).
Lincoln is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lincoln leads 17 of 23 categories. Akron wins 6 and Lincoln wins 17. 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 Lincoln or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $230,400 median home), income ($46,596 vs $67,846), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Lincoln, NE are about 790 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.