Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
New Braunfels, TX
🏆 New Braunfels leads 14 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
New Braunfels
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.7
Median Household Income
$85,827 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
41 ✓ Safer
Population
92,993
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $191k less ($99,700 vs $290,800)
Rent averages $539/mo less ($887 vs $1,426)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 93°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails New Braunfels by $39,231/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 3.8%)
New Braunfels, TX
Pros
Households earn $39,231 more per year on average
81% less violent crime than Akron
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.9 pts lower (3.8%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (156.4 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 38.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 62°F vs 37°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,426/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 93.7 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$191k less
$99,700 vs $290,800
New Braunfels
Median Income
$39,231
$85,827 vs $46,596/yr
New Braunfels
Violent Crime
81% lower
156.4 vs 820.3 per 100k
New Braunfels
Unemployment
3.9 pp lower
3.8% vs 7.7% unemployment
New Braunfels
Summer Heat
8.3°F warmer
July avg high 93.4°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | New Braunfels, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 93.7 |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $290,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,426⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $85,827 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 26.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 11.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 49 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 41 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 61 ✓ 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 | 15.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 38.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 91.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | COMAL ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 61.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 93.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 35.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 92,993 |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 36.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 63.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 24.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 13.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs New Braunfels's 93.7 (US average = 100).
Akron is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, New Braunfels leads 14 of 23 categories. Akron wins 9 and New Braunfels wins 14. 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 New Braunfels or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $290,800 median home), income ($46,596 vs $85,827), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and New Braunfels, TX are about 1,218 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.