Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Springfield, MO
🏆 Akron leads 12 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8
Median Household Income
$46,596 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Missouri
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,450
Violent Crime Index
310⚠ High
Population
168,873
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $47k less ($99,700 vs $146,400)
30% less violent crime than Springfield
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Households earn $3,146 more per year on average
Cons
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 4.8%)
Snowy winters — about 47" of snow per year
Springfield, MO
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (4.8%)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 30.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.3)
Milder winters — January highs near 43°F vs 37°F
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Akron
Cons
Violent crime (1178.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4184.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Akron by $3,146/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Median Income
$3,146
$46,596 vs $43,450/yr
Akron
Violent Crime
30% lower
820.3 vs 1178.1 per 100k
Akron
Median Home Value
$47k less
$99,700 vs $146,400
Springfield
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 92.8 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
4.8% vs 7.7% unemployment
Springfield
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Springfield, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $146,400 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 | $878 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 ✓ Higher | $43,450 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min | 18.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% ✓ Higher | 7.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High ✓ Safer | 266⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High ✓ Safer | 310⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 30.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | SPRINGFIELD R-XII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 43.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 13.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 168,873 |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 33.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 42.3% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% ✓ More | 17.4% |
| Over 65 | 15.5% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Springfield's 89.3 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Akron leads 12 of 23 categories. Akron wins 12 and Springfield wins 11. 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 $146,400 median home), income ($46,596 vs $43,450), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Springfield, MO are about 685 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.