Akron OH vs Baltimore MD — 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%
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Baltimore
27.4%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Baltimore
2.5%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 577,193 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.1 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 8.8% | Baltimore + |
| White | 56.1% | 27.4% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 60.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.5% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 7.9% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $59,623 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $39,195 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $70,886 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.6% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 20.1% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 35.4% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Baltimore
$191,668
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Baltimore
47.5%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $191,668 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 47.5% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Baltimore
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 433 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1724 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Baltimore
14.4%
Baltimore +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Baltimore
10.4%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Baltimore
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 38.1% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.4% | Baltimore + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 18.6% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.4% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.0% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.1% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Baltimore
55.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Baltimore
41.9 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 55.1°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 41.9 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Baltimore
31.6 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 31.6 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, 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 433 in Baltimore. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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