Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Renton, WA
🏆 Akron leads 13 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
Renton
Washington
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,292 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
89 ✓ Safer
Population
105,355
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $477k less ($99,700 vs $576,800)
Rent averages $977/mo less ($887 vs $1,864)
20% cheaper overall cost of living than Renton
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Smaller class sizes — 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Renton by $45,696/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 4.2%)
Renton, WA
Pros
Households earn $45,696 more per year on average
59% less violent crime than Akron
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.5 pts lower (4.2%)
More college-educated — 36.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 37°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 85°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $576,800
Higher rents — median is $1,864/mo
Cost of living runs 20% higher than Akron
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
20% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$477k less
$99,700 vs $576,800
Akron
Summer Heat
7.9°F warmer
July avg high 85.1°F vs 77.2°F
Renton
Median Income
$45,696
$92,292 vs $46,596/yr
Renton
Violent Crime
59% lower
339.2 vs 820.3 per 100k
Renton
Unemployment
3.5 pp lower
4.2% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Renton, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $576,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,864⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $92,292 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 30.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 16.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 117⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 158⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 36.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 89.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Renton School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 48.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F ✓ Warmer | 77.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 44.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 6.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 105,355 |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 36.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 53.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% ✓ More | 20.6% |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 12.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Renton's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Akron is 20% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Akron leads 13 of 23 categories. Akron wins 13 and Renton wins 10. 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 Renton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $576,800 median home), income ($46,596 vs $92,292), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Renton, WA are about 2,035 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.