Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Akron, OH
VS
Worcester, MA
🏆 Akron leads 13 of 21 categories
Akron
Ohio
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,596
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
190,273
Worcester
Massachusetts
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,011 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
4 ✓ Safer
Population
204,191 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Akron, OH
Pros
Homes cost $206k less ($99,700 vs $305,600)
Rent averages $425/mo less ($887 vs $1,312)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Worcester
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
Median income trails Worcester by $16,415/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 6.6%)
Worcester, MA
Pros
98% less violent crime than Akron
Households earn $16,415 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (16.5 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (6.6%)
More college-educated — 33.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 85°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $305,600
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Akron
Snowy winters — about 73" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Akron
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Akron
Median Home Value
$206k less
$99,700 vs $305,600
Akron
Summer Heat
5.3°F warmer
July avg high 85.1°F vs 79.8°F
Worcester
Median Income
$16,415
$63,011 vs $46,596/yr
Worcester
Violent Crime
98% lower
16.5 vs 820.3 per 100k
Worcester
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
6.6% vs 7.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Akron, OH | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 103.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $99,700 ✓ Lower | $305,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $887 ✓ Lower | $1,312 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $63,011 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 24.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 9.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 186⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 4 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.2:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 33.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.0% ✓ Higher | 85.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Akron City | Worcester |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.7°F ✓ Warmer | 32.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.1°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.5" ✓ Drier | 48.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.2" ✓ Less | 72.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,273 | 204,191 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 ✓ Older | 34.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% ✓ More | 19.5% |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 13.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Akron's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Worcester's 103.8 (US average = 100).
Akron is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Akron leads 13 of 21 categories. Akron wins 13 and Worcester wins 8. 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 Worcester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($99,700 vs $305,600 median home), income ($46,596 vs $63,011), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Akron, OH and Worcester, MA are about 508 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.