Akron vs Cleveland: Where Should You Rent in Northeast Ohio?

Akron and Cleveland are two of the most talked-about cities in northeast Ohio—and they're close enough (about 40 miles, 40–45 minutes on I-77) that choosing one over the other isn't as final as it sounds.

Many people commute between them daily. Others choose one as their base and treat the other as a short trip. Both cities offer real quality of life at rents that would make renters in Chicago, Columbus, or New York envious.

If you're deciding where to plant your roots, here's an honest comparison.

The Short Answer

Rent in Akron if: Cost is your primary driver, you work in or near Akron, or you want a smaller city with genuine arts and culture.

Rent in Cleveland if: You want more career options, stronger metro infrastructure, neighborhood variety, and the energy of a larger city.

Live in between if: You want to commute to one or both, prioritize suburb/rural amenities, or work remotely.

Rent Prices: Side by Side

Akron is consistently cheaper than Cleveland—often by 15–25%—for comparable properties.

Studios and 1-Bedrooms

Type	Akron	Cleveland Metro
Studio	$600–$850	$750–$1,100
1 Bedroom	$700–$950	$850–$1,300

Family Homes (2–3 Bedrooms)

Type	Akron	Cleveland Metro
2 Bedroom	$800–$1,050	$950–$1,400
3 Bedroom	$900–$1,200	$1,050–$1,600

The math: For a family renting a 3-bedroom home, Akron might save you $150–$300/month—that's $1,800–$3,600 per year in your pocket.

The tradeoff is that Cleveland's job market is significantly larger, which often means more earning potential that offsets the higher rent.

Job Markets

Cleveland

Cleveland is the larger economic engine. Major employers include:

Healthcare: Cleveland Clinic (one of the world's top hospitals), University Hospitals, MetroHealth, and dozens of associated practices and research institutions. Healthcare is the dominant industry.

Finance and insurance: KeyBank, Progressive Insurance, FirstEnergy, Sherwin-Williams—several Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in or near Cleveland.

Legal, professional services, and consulting: A larger professional services sector compared to Akron.

Manufacturing and logistics: Northeast Ohio's industrial heritage persists, with substantial manufacturing employment across the metro area.

Education: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State, Tri-C, and others.

Akron

Akron punches above its weight for a city of 190,000.

Rubber and polymers: Akron remains the global capital of polymer research and manufacturing. Goodyear is headquartered here. Related materials science and engineering jobs are strong.

Healthcare: Akron Children's Hospital, Summa Health, and Cleveland Clinic's regional presence employ thousands.

Education: University of Akron, Kent State (nearby), and Walsh University contribute to the local economy.

Tech and startups: Akron has made genuine investments in a startup ecosystem, though it's smaller than Cleveland's.

Bottom line on jobs: Cleveland has more options across more industries. If you're early in your career, in healthcare, finance, or law, or working in a large company environment, Cleveland has more opportunity. If you're in polymer science, materials engineering, or don't need to maximize career options, Akron is excellent.

Neighborhoods

Cleveland's Neighborhood Range

Cleveland's strength is variety. From the walkable, foodie-forward Ohio City and Tremont to the school-district-focused Shaker Heights and Cleveland Heights, to the working-class value of Garfield Heights and Parma—there's a neighborhood for almost every lifestyle preference and budget.

Notable Cleveland neighborhoods:

• Ohio City / Tremont: Trendy, walkable, restaurants and culture
• Lakewood: Family-friendly, walkable, strong community identity
• Cleveland Heights: Strong schools, diverse, near University Circle
• Shaker Heights: Architectural beauty, excellent schools, Rapid Transit access
• Garfield Heights: Family value, space, suburban quiet

Akron's Neighborhood Range

Akron has its own distinct neighborhoods:

• Highland Square: Akron's version of Ohio City—independent restaurants, walkability, artsy vibe. Very popular with young professionals and affordable compared to any Cleveland equivalent.
• Merriman Valley: Upscale, wooded, close to Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• Ellet / East Akron: Working-class neighborhoods with affordable housing
• Downtown Akron: Growing, with some genuine investment in mixed-use and nightlife
• Fairlawn / Copley: Suburban comfort, strong schools, less character

Bottom line on neighborhoods: Cleveland has more variety and more depth. But Akron's Highland Square is genuinely excellent and underrated. If Highland Square's character appeals to you, Akron offers it at a lower price than comparable Cleveland neighborhoods.

Lifestyle and Culture

Cleveland

Cleveland has more of everything that comes with a larger city:

• Sports: Browns, Cavaliers, and Guardians (plus a fiercely loyal fanbase for all three)
• Arts and culture: Cleveland Museum of Art (one of the top in the country, free admission), Cleveland Orchestra (world-class), Playhouse Square (second-largest theater district in the U.S.)
• Food scene: Stronger and more diverse, driven by Ohio City's restaurant culture, Asiatown, and growing neighborhoods across the city
• Nightlife: More options, more concentrated in a few neighborhoods

Akron

• Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Right on Akron's north edge—stunning national park with trails, waterfalls, and preserved farmland accessible from downtown Akron within 20 minutes
• Akron Art Museum: Genuinely good, smaller, free admission
• Highland Square culture: Independent cinema, music venues, local bars and restaurants
• Proximity to outdoor recreation: Hiking, mountain biking, and Portage Lakes for water recreation are all close

Bottom line on lifestyle: Cleveland offers more volume. Akron offers a more human-scale city with remarkable outdoor access.

Commuting Between Them

This is important: living in one city and working in the other is realistic.

Akron to Cleveland: I-77 north, about 40 miles. In average traffic: 40–50 minutes. Rush hour: 55–70 minutes.

Cleveland to Akron: Same route south.

The commute is real but manageable. Many people do it. If you can find work in Akron and live comfortably on Akron rents while being close to Cleveland's amenities on weekends, that's a compelling lifestyle.

Hybrid remote work makes this even more practical. If you only commute to Cleveland two or three days a week, Akron becomes a serious option.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if:

• Your job (or best job prospects) are in Cleveland
• You want the most neighborhood variety
• Arts, culture, and dining diversity matter a lot to you
• You want the bustle and energy of a larger city

Choose Akron if:

• You work in Akron or remotely
• Saving $150–$300/month on rent is a meaningful priority
• You love outdoor access (Cuyahoga Valley is magnificent)
• A smaller, more navigable city suits your personality
• Highland Square culture appeals to you

Consider the middle corridor if:

• You regularly commute to both cities
• Rural or semi-rural living with access to both metros appeals to you
• Summit, Portage, or Medina county is where you want to be

Renting with Cleveland Comfort Housing

We're based in the Greater Cleveland area and know the market well. Our properties are primarily in Cleveland and surrounding suburbs—Garfield Heights, Maple Heights, Akron.

Check what we have available at /rentals, or call us at (216) 490-0217. If you're not sure which area makes the most sense for your situation, we're happy to talk it through.