Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Phoenix, AZ
🏆 Phoenix leads 15 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273
Phoenix
Arizona
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4
Median Household Income
$72,092 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
1,609,456 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $241k less ($99,700 vs $340,200)
Rent averages $435/mo less ($887 vs $1,322)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 104°F
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Phoenix
Cons
Median income trails Phoenix by $25,496/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 5.2%)
Phoenix, AZ
Pros
Households earn $25,496 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (5.2%)
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 37°F
More college-educated — 31.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $340,200
Violent crime (799.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Akron
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 98.4 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$241k less
$99,700 vs $340,200
Phoenix
Median Income
$25,496
$72,092 vs $46,596/yr
Phoenix
Violent Crime
3% lower
799.6 vs 820.3 per 100k
Phoenix
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
5.2% vs 7.7% unemployment
Phoenix
Summer Heat
18.9°F warmer
July avg high 104.0°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 98.4 |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $340,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,322 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $72,092 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 25.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 14.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 210⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (98) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 31.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 83.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 65.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 104.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" | 8.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 0.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 1,609,456 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 34.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 56.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 24.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 11.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Phoenix's 98.4 (US average = 100).
Akron is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Phoenix leads 15 of 23 categories. Akron wins 8 and Phoenix wins 15. 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 Phoenix or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $340,200 median home), income ($46,596 vs $72,092), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Phoenix, AZ are about 1,748 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.