Akron OH vs Athens GA — 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%
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Athens
126,987
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Athens
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
White
Akron
56.1%
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Athens
26.2%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Athens
4.3%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 126,987 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 29.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 9.8% | Athens + |
| White | 56.1% | 57.6% | Athens + |
| Black | 29.4% | 26.2% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 4.3% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 11.5% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Athens
$51,655
Athens +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Athens
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Athens
26.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $51,655 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $31,836 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,405 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.2% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 26.3% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 48.7% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Athens
$341,821
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Athens
40.5%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $341,821 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 40.5% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Athens
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Athens
1752
Athens +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 392 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1752 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Athens
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Athens
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Athens
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Athens
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Athens
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Athens
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Athens
46.3 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 62.6°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 46.3 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Athens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Athens
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Athens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 22.3 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Athens leads in median household income at $51,655, 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 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Athens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Akron, OH vs New York, NYAkron, OH vs Los Angeles, CAAkron, OH vs Chicago, ILAkron, OH vs Houston, TXAkron, OH vs Phoenix, AZAkron, OH vs Philadelphia, PA