Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Waukegan, IL
🏆 Akron leads 14 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
Waukegan
Illinois
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$66,077 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
117⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
89,435
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $65k less ($99,700 vs $164,400)
Rent averages $245/mo less ($887 vs $1,132)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Waukegan
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Milder winters — January highs near 37°F vs 30°F
Cons
Median income trails Waukegan by $19,481/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 5.3%)
Waukegan, IL
Pros
46% less violent crime than Akron
Households earn $19,481 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (5.3%)
Cons
Violent crime (445.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Akron
Snowy winters — about 43" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$65k less
$99,700 vs $164,400
Akron
Summer Heat
3.4°F warmer
July avg high 85.1°F vs 81.7°F
Waukegan
Median Income
$19,481
$66,077 vs $46,596/yr
Waukegan
Violent Crime
46% lower
445.2 vs 820.3 per 100k
Waukegan
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
5.3% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Waukegan, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $164,400 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,132 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $66,077 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 5.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 26.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% ✓ Higher | 5.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 117⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 77 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% ✓ Higher | 21.5% |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 77.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Waukegan CUSD 60 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F ✓ Warmer | 29.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F ✓ Warmer | 81.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 35.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 43.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 89,435 |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 48.9% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 25.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Waukegan's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Akron is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Akron leads 14 of 23 categories. Akron wins 14 and Waukegan wins 9. 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 Waukegan or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $164,400 median home), income ($46,596 vs $66,077), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Waukegan, IL are about 339 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.