Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Sioux Falls, SD
🏆 Sioux Falls leads 16 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273
Sioux Falls
South Dakota
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,785 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
193,401 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $150k less ($99,700 vs $250,000)
Rent averages $78/mo less ($887 vs $965)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Milder winters — January highs near 37°F vs 25°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Sioux Falls by $25,189/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 2.3%)
Sioux Falls, SD
Pros
Households earn $25,189 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.4 pts lower (2.3%)
36% less violent crime than Akron
More college-educated — 37.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.3)
Cons
Violent crime (526.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2915.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 45" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Median Home Value
$150k less
$99,700 vs $250,000
Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 90.3 vs 92.8 (100 = US avg)
Sioux Falls
Median Income
$25,189
$71,785 vs $46,596/yr
Sioux Falls
Violent Crime
36% lower
526.7 vs 820.3 per 100k
Sioux Falls
Unemployment
5.4 pp lower
2.3% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 | 90.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $250,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $965 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $71,785 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 2.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min | 16.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 8.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 37.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Sioux Falls School District 49-5 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F ✓ Warmer | 25.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F ✓ Warmer | 84.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" | 28.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 45.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 193,401 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 34.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 60.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 24.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 13.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Sioux Falls's 90.3 (US average = 100).
Sioux Falls is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Sioux Falls leads 16 of 23 categories. Akron wins 7 and Sioux Falls wins 16. 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 Sioux Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $250,000 median home), income ($46,596 vs $71,785), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Sioux Falls, SD are about 794 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.