Akron OH vs Albany NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Albany
100,081
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Albany
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Albany
53.0%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Albany
26.6%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Albany
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Albany, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 100,081 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 31.9 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 15.0% | Albany + |
| White | 56.1% | 53.0% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 26.6% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 7.9% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 10.7% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Akron +
Albany
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Albany
23.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Albany, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $59,485 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $35,851 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 8.3% | Akron + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 23.4% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 44.9% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Albany
$324,670
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Albany
37.9%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Albany, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $324,670 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 37.9% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Albany
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Albany
1736
Albany +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Albany, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Albany
18.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Albany, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 32.9% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.9% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 17.6% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.7% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.0% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 12.3% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Albany
39.4 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Albany, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 48.3°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 39.4 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Albany, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Albany, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 21.1 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Akron has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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