Akron, OH vs Columbus, OH
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Akron
78.2
#187 nationally
Columbus
76.5
#341 nationally
Columbus leads in median household income ($62,889 vs $46,596). Akron leads in walk score (48 vs 41). Akron leads in cost of living index (83 vs 93).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Akron, OH | Columbus, OH |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 78.2 (#187) | 76.5 (#341) |
| Population | 188,701 | 913,175 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $141,611 | $248,686 |
| Median Household Income | $46,596 | $62,889 |
| Average Commute | 22.2 min | 23.1 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 22.5 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 93 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+7.0 | D+28.4 |
C+
78.2 Score
Akron, OH
Mid-size Ohio city with community character
Median Home
$141,611
Population
188,701
Crime
High
Walk Score
48
Midwest
View Akron, OH →
C
76.5 Score
Columbus, OH
Ohio's capital city on the rise
Median Home
$248,686
Population
913,175
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Midwest
View Columbus, OH →