Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Riverside, CA
🏆 Riverside 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
Riverside
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$83,448 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
155⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
316,076 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $386k less ($99,700 vs $485,500)
Rent averages $824/mo less ($887 vs $1,711)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Riverside
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 95°F
Cons
Median income trails Riverside by $36,852/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 6.1%)
Riverside, CA
Pros
Households earn $36,852 more per year on average
28% less violent crime than Akron
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (6.1%)
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 37°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $485,500
Higher rents — median is $1,711/mo
Violent crime (589.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Akron
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$386k less
$99,700 vs $485,500
Riverside
Median Income
$36,852
$83,448 vs $46,596/yr
Riverside
Violent Crime
28% lower
589.7 vs 820.3 per 100k
Riverside
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
6.1% vs 7.7% unemployment
Riverside
Summer Heat
10.2°F warmer
July avg high 95.3°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $485,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,711⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $83,448 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 31.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 8.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 147⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 155⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 24.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 82.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Riverside Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 69.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 95.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" | 10.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 316,076 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 32.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 55.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 23.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Riverside's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Akron is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Riverside leads 14 of 23 categories. Akron wins 9 and Riverside 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 Riverside or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $485,500 median home), income ($46,596 vs $83,448), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Riverside, CA are about 2,012 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.