Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
West Palm Beach, FL
🏆 West Palm Beach leads 13 of 23 categories
Akron
Ohio
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273 ✓ Larger
West Palm Beach
Florida
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,044 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
152⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
117,588
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $225k less ($99,700 vs $324,800)
Rent averages $727/mo less ($887 vs $1,614)
19% cheaper overall cost of living than West Palm Beach
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Smaller class sizes — 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails West Palm Beach by $17,448/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 6.2%)
West Palm Beach, FL
Pros
30% less violent crime than Akron
Households earn $17,448 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 75°F vs 37°F
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (6.2%)
More college-educated — 37.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $324,800
Higher rents — median is $1,614/mo
Violent crime (575.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Akron
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$225k less
$99,700 vs $324,800
West Palm Beach
Median Income
$17,448
$64,044 vs $46,596/yr
West Palm Beach
Violent Crime
30% lower
575.8 vs 820.3 per 100k
West Palm Beach
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
6.2% vs 7.7% unemployment
West Palm Beach
Summer Heat
4.9°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 85.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | West Palm Beach, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $324,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,614⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $64,044 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 23.8 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 11.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | 132⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 152⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 37.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 86.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | PALM BEACH |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F | 74.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 61.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 ✓ Larger | 117,588 |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 40.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 49.8% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% ✓ More | 17.6% |
| Over 65 | 15.5% | 19.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs West Palm Beach's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Akron is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, West Palm Beach leads 13 of 23 categories. Akron wins 10 and West Palm Beach wins 13. 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 West Palm Beach or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $324,800 median home), income ($46,596 vs $64,044), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and West Palm Beach, FL are about 994 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.