Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Memphis, TN
🏆 Akron leads 13 of 22 categories
Akron
Ohio
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
190,273
Memphis
Tennessee
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,090 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
658⚠ High
Population
630,027 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
67% less violent crime than Memphis
Homes cost $40k less ($99,700 vs $139,600)
Rent averages $163/mo less ($887 vs $1,050)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (7.7%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 92°F
Cons
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
Snowy winters — about 47" of snow per year
Memphis, TN
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 51°F vs 37°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.4)
More college-educated — 27.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (2501.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (6899.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 7.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Violent Crime
67% lower
820.3 vs 2501.3 per 100k
Akron
Median Home Value
$40k less
$99,700 vs $139,600
Akron
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
7.7% vs 8.6% unemployment
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 92.8 on the COL index
Memphis
Median Income
$1,494
$48,090 vs $46,596/yr
Memphis
Summer Heat
6.8°F warmer
July avg high 91.9°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Memphis, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 | 92.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $139,600 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,050 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $48,090 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min | 21.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% ✓ Higher | 6.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High ✓ Safer | 400⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High ✓ Safer | 658⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 329⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 27.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 87.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Memphis-Shelby County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 50.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 91.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 54.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 2.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 630,027 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 46.6% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 24.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 14.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Memphis's 92.4 (US average = 100).
Memphis is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Akron leads 13 of 22 categories. Akron wins 13 and Memphis 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 Memphis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $139,600 median home), income ($46,596 vs $48,090), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Memphis, TN are about 617 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.