Akron OH vs Bend OR — 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%
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Bend
97,502
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Bend
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Bend
37.6
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
White
Akron
56.1%
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Bend
2.8%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Bend
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 97,502 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.6 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 17.6% | Bend + |
| White | 56.1% | 65.5% | Bend + |
| Black | 29.4% | 2.8% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 11.4% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 17.3% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $94,279 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $51,659 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,691 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.2% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 9.9% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 49.3% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Bend
$735,193
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Bend
49.8%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $735,193 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 49.8% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Bend
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Bend
3001
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3001 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Bend
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 26.5% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 8.9% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.0% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 6.5% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.7% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 10.0% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 46.6°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 11.4 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Bend
26.1 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 26.1 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, 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 355 in Bend. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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