Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Manchester, NH
🏆 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
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
Manchester
New Hampshire
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$74,040 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
88 ✓ Safer
Population
115,037
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $205k less ($99,700 vs $304,700)
Rent averages $475/mo less ($887 vs $1,362)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Manchester
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Milder winters — January highs near 37°F vs 32°F
Cons
Median income trails Manchester by $27,444/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 4.2%)
Manchester, NH
Pros
Households earn $27,444 more per year on average
59% less violent crime than Akron
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.5 pts lower (4.2%)
More college-educated — 32.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,362/mo
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Akron
Snowy winters — about 53" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 104.2 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$205k less
$99,700 vs $304,700
Akron
Summer Heat
4.0°F warmer
July avg high 85.1°F vs 81.1°F
Manchester
Median Income
$27,444
$74,040 vs $46,596/yr
Manchester
Violent Crime
59% lower
336.0 vs 820.3 per 100k
Manchester
Unemployment
3.5 pp lower
4.2% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Manchester, NH |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 104.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $304,700 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,362⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $74,040 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 24.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 10.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 84 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 88 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 78 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 32.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 88.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Manchester School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F ✓ Warmer | 31.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F ✓ Warmer | 81.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 42.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" ✓ Less | 52.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 115,037 |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 37.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 48.2% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% ✓ More | 18.2% |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 14.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Manchester's 104.2 (US average = 100).
Akron is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Akron leads 13 of 23 categories. Akron wins 13 and Manchester 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 Manchester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $304,700 median home), income ($46,596 vs $74,040), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Manchester, NH are about 533 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.