Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Surprise, AZ
🏆 Surprise leads 17 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
Surprise
Arizona
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$87,756 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
29 ✓ Safer
Population
145,591
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $253k less ($99,700 vs $352,600)
Rent averages $935/mo less ($887 vs $1,822)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 105°F
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Surprise
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
Median income trails Surprise by $41,160/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 4.6%)
Surprise, AZ
Pros
Households earn $41,160 more per year on average
87% less violent crime than Akron
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.1 pts lower (4.6%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (109.1 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 37°F
More college-educated — 31.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $352,600
Higher rents — median is $1,822/mo
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Akron
Longer commutes — 30.5 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 101.2 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$253k less
$99,700 vs $352,600
Surprise
Median Income
$41,160
$87,756 vs $46,596/yr
Surprise
Violent Crime
87% lower
109.1 vs 820.3 per 100k
Surprise
Unemployment
3.1 pp lower
4.6% vs 7.7% unemployment
Surprise
Summer Heat
19.5°F warmer
July avg high 104.6°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Surprise, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 101.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $352,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,822⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $87,756 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 14.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 29 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 42 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 31.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% | 93.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Dysart Unified District (4243) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 65.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 104.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" | 9.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 145,591 |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 41.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 78.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 24.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% | 22.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Surprise's 101.2 (US average = 100).
Akron is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Surprise leads 17 of 23 categories. Akron wins 6 and Surprise wins 17. 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 Surprise or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $352,600 median home), income ($46,596 vs $87,756), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Surprise, AZ are about 1,763 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.