Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Minneapolis, MN
🏆 Akron leads 14 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
190,273
Minneapolis
Minnesota
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,332 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
305⚠ High
Population
426,877 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $229k less ($99,700 vs $328,700)
Rent averages $380/mo less ($887 vs $1,267)
29% less violent crime than Minneapolis
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Minneapolis
Milder winters — January highs near 37°F vs 22°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
Median income trails Minneapolis by $29,736/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 5.8%)
Minneapolis, MN
Pros
Households earn $29,736 more per year on average
More college-educated — 53.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (5.8%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $328,700
Violent crime (1160.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (5142.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Akron
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 104.5 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Violent Crime
29% lower
820.3 vs 1160.2 per 100k
Akron
Median Home Value
$229k less
$99,700 vs $328,700
Minneapolis
Median Income
$29,736
$76,332 vs $46,596/yr
Minneapolis
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
5.8% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Minneapolis, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 104.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $328,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,267 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $76,332 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 22.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 19.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High ✓ Safer | 281⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High ✓ Safer | 305⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 245⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 53.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 90.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Minneapolis Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F ✓ Warmer | 21.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F ✓ Warmer | 83.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 33.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 40.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 426,877 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 32.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 48.1% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% ✓ More | 19.1% |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 10.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Minneapolis's 104.5 (US average = 100).
Akron is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Akron leads 14 of 23 categories. Akron wins 14 and Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $328,700 median home), income ($46,596 vs $76,332), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Minneapolis, MN are about 650 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.