Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Lubbock, TX
🏆 Lubbock leads 16 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
190,273
Lubbock
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,734 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
258,190 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $82k less ($99,700 vs $181,600)
Rent averages $206/mo less ($887 vs $1,093)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 93°F
Cons
Violent crime (820.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Lubbock by $12,138/yr
Property crime (2955.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.7% vs 4.6%)
Lubbock, TX
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.1 pts lower (4.6%)
Households earn $12,138 more per year on average
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 34.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 37°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Cons
Violent crime (821.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2628.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Median Home Value
$82k less
$99,700 vs $181,600
Lubbock
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 92.8 (100 = US avg)
Lubbock
Median Income
$12,138
$58,734 vs $46,596/yr
Lubbock
Unemployment
3.1 pp lower
4.6% vs 7.7% unemployment
Lubbock
Summer Heat
7.6°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lubbock, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $181,600 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,093 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $58,734 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min | 16.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% ✓ Higher | 5.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 180⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 216⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B+ (108) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 34.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 88.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | LUBBOCK ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 55.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" | 20.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 7.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 258,190 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 30.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 51.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 22.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 12.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Lubbock's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Lubbock is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lubbock leads 16 of 23 categories. Akron wins 7 and Lubbock wins 16. 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 Lubbock or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $181,600 median home), income ($46,596 vs $58,734), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Lubbock, TX are about 1,230 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.