Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Raleigh, NC
🏆 Raleigh 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
Raleigh
North Carolina
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$78,631 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
129⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
465,517 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $247k less ($99,700 vs $347,000)
Rent averages $484/mo less ($887 vs $1,371)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 91°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Raleigh
Smaller class sizes — 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Raleigh by $32,035/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 4.5%)
Raleigh, NC
Pros
Households earn $32,035 more per year on average
40% less violent crime than Akron
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (4.5%)
More college-educated — 52.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 52°F vs 37°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $347,000
Higher rents — median is $1,371/mo
Violent crime (488.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2819.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$247k less
$99,700 vs $347,000
Raleigh
Median Income
$32,035
$78,631 vs $46,596/yr
Raleigh
Violent Crime
40% lower
488.8 vs 820.3 per 100k
Raleigh
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
4.5% vs 7.7% unemployment
Raleigh
Summer Heat
5.5°F warmer
July avg high 90.6°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Raleigh, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $347,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,371⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $78,631 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 4.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 23.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 20.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 134⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 52.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 92.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Wake County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 51.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 90.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 49.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 4.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 465,517 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 34.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 51.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Raleigh's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Akron is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Raleigh leads 14 of 23 categories. Akron wins 9 and Raleigh 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 Raleigh or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $347,000 median home), income ($46,596 vs $78,631), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Raleigh, NC are about 395 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.