Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Seattle, 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
Seattle
Washington
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$116,068 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
204⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
734,603 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $780k less ($99,700 vs $879,900)
Rent averages $1058/mo less ($887 vs $1,945)
20% cheaper overall cost of living than Seattle
Commutes run 5 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 Seattle by $69,472/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%)
Seattle, WA
Pros
Households earn $69,472 more per year on average
More college-educated — 66.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.5 pts lower (4.2%)
6% less violent crime than Akron
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 37°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 85°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $879,900
Higher rents — median is $1,945/mo
Violent crime (775.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 20% higher than Akron
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
$780k less
$99,700 vs $879,900
Akron
Summer Heat
8.6°F warmer
July avg high 85.1°F vs 76.5°F
Seattle
Median Income
$69,472
$116,068 vs $46,596/yr
Seattle
Violent Crime
6% lower
775.1 vs 820.3 per 100k
Seattle
Unemployment
3.5 pp lower
4.2% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Seattle, 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 | $879,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,945⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $116,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 27.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 27.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 204⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 238⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 66.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 95.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Seattle School District No. 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 47.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 38.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 3.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 734,603 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 35.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 44.5% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% ✓ More | 14.0% |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Seattle'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 Seattle 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 Seattle or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $879,900 median home), income ($46,596 vs $116,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Seattle, WA are about 2,042 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.