Akron OH vs Aurora IL — 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%
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Aurora
24,510
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Aurora
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Aurora
39.7
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
White
Akron
56.1%
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Aurora
2.6%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Aurora
1.5%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Aurora
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 24,510 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 39.7 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 14.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 56.1% | 63.2% | Aurora + |
| Black | 29.4% | 2.6% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.5% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 37.1% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
Aurora
13.2%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $62,462 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $32,181 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 7.1% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 15.5% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 13.2% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Aurora
$320,635
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $320,635 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 73.6% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Aurora
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Aurora
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Aurora
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 35.9% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.4% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 15.9% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.2% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.5% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 11.7% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Aurora
50.2°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Aurora
37.7 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 50.2°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 37.7 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Aurora +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Aurora
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Aurora
26.6 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Aurora, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 26.6 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, 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 344 in Aurora. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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