Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Philadelphia, PA
🏆 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
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$57,537 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
239⚠ High
Population
1,593,208 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $116k less ($99,700 vs $215,500)
Rent averages $363/mo less ($887 vs $1,250)
10% less violent crime than Philadelphia
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (7.7%)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Philadelphia
Cons
Violent crime (820.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Philadelphia by $10,941/yr
Property crime (2955.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 47" of snow per year
Philadelphia, PA
Pros
Households earn $10,941 more per year on average
More college-educated — 33.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (908.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4548.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Akron
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 7.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 103.5 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Violent Crime
10% lower
820.3 vs 908.7 per 100k
Akron
Median Home Value
$116k less
$99,700 vs $215,500
Akron
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
7.7% vs 8.6% unemployment
Philadelphia
Median Income
$10,941
$57,537 vs $46,596/yr
Philadelphia
Summer Heat
4.2°F warmer
July avg high 89.3°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 103.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $215,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,250 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $57,537 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 32.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 13.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High ✓ Safer | 230⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High ✓ Safer | 239⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 217⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | B- (92) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 33.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 86.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Philadelphia City SD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 41.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 89.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 50.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 16.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 1,593,208 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 34.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 52.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 21.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 14.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Philadelphia's 103.5 (US average = 100).
Akron is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Akron leads 14 of 23 categories. Akron wins 14 and Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $215,500 median home), income ($46,596 vs $57,537), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Philadelphia, PA are about 343 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.