Akron OH vs Asheville NC — 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%
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Asheville
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Asheville
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Asheville
N/A
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Asheville
N/A
White
Akron
56.1%
Asheville
N/A
Black
Akron
29.4%
Asheville
N/A
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Asheville
N/A
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Asheville
N/A
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Asheville
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 56.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 29.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Asheville
N/A
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Asheville
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Asheville
N/A
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Asheville
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Asheville
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Asheville
$461,425
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Asheville
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $461,425 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Asheville
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Asheville
1999
| Metric | Akron, OH | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Asheville
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 31.5% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.4% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 15.9% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.2% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.7% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 12.1% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Asheville
55.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Asheville
45.6 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 55.9°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 45.6 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Asheville
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 398 in Asheville. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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