Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Spokane, WA
🏆 Spokane leads 15 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273
Spokane
Washington
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,316 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
178⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
227,922 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $187k less ($99,700 vs $286,900)
Rent averages $173/mo less ($887 vs $1,060)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Spokane
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Smaller class sizes — 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Spokane by $16,720/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 6.2%)
Spokane, WA
Pros
Households earn $16,720 more per year on average
18% less violent crime than Akron
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (6.2%)
More college-educated — 32.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (674.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4840.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Akron
Snowy winters — about 45" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 101.0 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$187k less
$99,700 vs $286,900
Spokane
Median Income
$16,720
$63,316 vs $46,596/yr
Spokane
Violent Crime
18% lower
674.9 vs 820.3 per 100k
Spokane
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
6.2% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Spokane, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 101.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $286,900 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,060 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $63,316 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min | 20.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 12.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 178⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 231⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (101) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 32.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Spokane School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 37.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 87.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" | 17.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 45.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 227,922 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 37.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 57.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 15.5% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Spokane's 101.0 (US average = 100).
Akron is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Spokane leads 15 of 23 categories. Akron wins 8 and Spokane wins 15. 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 Spokane or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $286,900 median home), income ($46,596 vs $63,316), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Spokane, WA are about 1,813 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.