Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
South Gate, CA
🏆 Akron leads 16 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
South Gate
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,188 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
138⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
92,381
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $479k less ($99,700 vs $578,900)
Rent averages $513/mo less ($887 vs $1,400)
23% cheaper overall cost of living than South Gate
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 22.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
Median income trails South Gate by $20,592/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
Snowy winters — about 47" of snow per year
South Gate, CA
Pros
Households earn $20,592 more per year on average
36% less violent crime than Akron
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 37°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $578,900
Higher rents — median is $1,400/mo
Violent crime (525.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 23% higher than Akron
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
23% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$479k less
$99,700 vs $578,900
Akron
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 85.1°F vs 82.0°F
South Gate
Median Income
$20,592
$67,188 vs $46,596/yr
South Gate
Violent Crime
36% lower
525.6 vs 820.3 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | South Gate, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $578,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,400⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $67,188 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 32.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% ✓ Higher | 6.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 152⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 138⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C- (72) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% ✓ Higher | 11.5% |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 58.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Westbrook Academy District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 68.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F ✓ Warmer | 82.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" | 14.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 92,381 |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 33.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 44.8% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 24.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs South Gate's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Akron is 23% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Akron leads 16 of 23 categories. Akron wins 16 and South Gate wins 7. 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 South Gate or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $578,900 median home), income ($46,596 vs $67,188), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and South Gate, CA are about 2,053 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.