Akron OH vs Berkeley CA — 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%
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Berkeley
120,223
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Berkeley
54.8%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Berkeley
7.4%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 120,223 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 32.9 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 21.3% | Berkeley + |
| White | 56.1% | 54.8% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 7.4% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 20.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 12.1% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $108,558 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $66,936 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.0% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 16.8% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 75.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Berkeley
43.3%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $1,451,222 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 43.3% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Berkeley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Berkeley
2388
| Metric | Akron, OH | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Berkeley
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 22.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 7.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 18.1% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 6.1% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.1% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 8.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Berkeley
58.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 58.1°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 26.7 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Berkeley
32.2 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 32.2 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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