Akron OH vs Austin TX — 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%
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Austin
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
White
Akron
56.1%
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Austin
7.5%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Austin
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 967,862 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.5 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 18.1% | Austin + |
| White | 56.1% | 59.9% | Austin + |
| Black | 29.4% | 7.5% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 8.6% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 32.2% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $91,461 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $59,427 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.5% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 12.3% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 58.2% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Austin
$511,264
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Austin
44.4%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $511,264 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 44.4% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Austin
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Austin
2339
| Metric | Akron, OH | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Austin
15.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Austin
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 30.1% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 8.1% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.9% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.1% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 20.0% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 9.4% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Austin
67.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 67.2°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 34.9 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Austin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Austin
25.8 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 25.8 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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