Akron OH vs Birmingham AL — 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%
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Birmingham
4.4%
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Birmingham
25.6%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Birmingham
1.4%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Birmingham
4.9%
Birmingham +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 199,322 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.9 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 4.4% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 25.6% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 67.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.4% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 4.9% | Birmingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Akron +
Birmingham
$44,376
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Birmingham
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Birmingham
25.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $44,376 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $31,616 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $51,690 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.1% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 25.2% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 30.7% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Birmingham
45.1%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $137,201 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 45.1% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Birmingham
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1734 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Birmingham
42.2%
Birmingham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Akron +
Birmingham
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Birmingham
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 42.2% | Birmingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.2% | Akron + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 18.5% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.2% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.6% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Birmingham
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Birmingham
53.7 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 63.3°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 53.7 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 23.2 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Akron leads in median household income at $48,544, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Birmingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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