Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Trenton, NJ
🏆 Akron leads 18 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
Trenton
New Jersey
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$44,444
Violent Crime Index
270⚠ High
Population
90,055
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
20% less violent crime than Trenton
Rent averages $290/mo less ($887 vs $1,177)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (7.7%)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Trenton
More college-educated — 22.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
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
Snowy winters — about 47" of snow per year
Trenton, NJ
Pros
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Cons
Violent crime (1025.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (10.2% vs 7.7%)
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Akron
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 102.1 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Income
$2,152
$46,596 vs $44,444/yr
Akron
Violent Crime
20% lower
820.3 vs 1025.9 per 100k
Akron
Median Home Value
$12k less
$99,700 vs $111,200
Akron
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
7.7% vs 10.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Trenton, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 102.1⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $111,200 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,177 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 ✓ Higher | $44,444 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 10.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 26.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% ✓ Higher | 5.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High ✓ Safer | 206⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High ✓ Safer | 270⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C (75) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% ✓ Higher | 15.6% |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 76.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Trenton Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 39.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 86.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 47.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 26.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 90,055 |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 35.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 38.3% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 25.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 12.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Trenton's 102.1 (US average = 100).
Akron is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Akron leads 18 of 23 categories. Akron wins 18 and Trenton wins 5. 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 Trenton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $111,200 median home), income ($46,596 vs $44,444), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Trenton, NJ are about 359 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.