Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Springfield leads 15 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Illinois
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,419 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
237⚠ High
Population
114,214
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $48k less ($99,700 vs $147,700)
9% less violent crime than Springfield
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
Median income trails Springfield by $15,823/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 6.6%)
Springfield, IL
Pros
Households earn $15,823 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (6.6%)
More college-educated — 34.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.5)
2% cheaper overall cost of living than Akron
Cons
Violent crime (901.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4911.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Violent Crime
9% lower
820.3 vs 901.2 per 100k
Akron
Median Home Value
$48k less
$99,700 vs $147,700
Springfield
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 92.8 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Income
$15,823
$62,419 vs $46,596/yr
Springfield
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
6.6% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $147,700 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $913 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $62,419 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 10.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High ✓ Safer | 237⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 34.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 92.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 85.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 40.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 21.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 21.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 15 of 23 categories. Akron wins 8 and Springfield 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 Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $147,700 median home), income ($46,596 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Springfield, IL are about 436 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.