Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Peoria, AZ
🏆 Peoria leads 18 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273
Peoria
Arizona
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.7⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,759 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
67 ✓ Safer
Population
191,292 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $284k less ($99,700 vs $383,600)
Rent averages $751/mo less ($887 vs $1,638)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 105°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Peoria
Cons
Median income trails Peoria by $40,163/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 3.9%)
Peoria, AZ
Pros
Households earn $40,163 more per year on average
69% less violent crime than Akron
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.8 pts lower (3.9%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (254.7 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 37°F
More college-educated — 34.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $383,600
Higher rents — median is $1,638/mo
Longer commutes — 29.2 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 105°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 100.7 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$284k less
$99,700 vs $383,600
Peoria
Median Income
$40,163
$86,759 vs $46,596/yr
Peoria
Violent Crime
69% lower
254.7 vs 820.3 per 100k
Peoria
Unemployment
3.8 pp lower
3.9% vs 7.7% unemployment
Peoria
Summer Heat
19.5°F warmer
July avg high 104.6°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Peoria, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 100.7⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $383,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,638⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $86,759 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 3.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 29.2 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 17.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 67 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 57 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (101) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 34.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 92.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Peoria Unified School District (4237) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 65.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 104.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" | 10.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 191,292 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 41.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 75.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 22.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% | 18.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Peoria's 100.7 (US average = 100).
Akron is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Peoria leads 18 of 23 categories. Akron wins 5 and Peoria wins 18. 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 Peoria or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $383,600 median home), income ($46,596 vs $86,759), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Peoria, AZ are about 1,752 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.