Akron OH vs Bismarck ND — 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%
Bismarck, ND
North Dakota · Population: 74,146
- Median HH Income$77,608
- Median Home Price$373,227
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+38.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Bismarck
74,146
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Bismarck
38.2
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Bismarck
3.6%
White
Akron
56.1%
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Bismarck
2.5%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Bismarck
1.0%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Akron +
Bismarck
3.2%
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 74,146 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.2 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 3.6% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 84.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 29.4% | 2.5% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.0% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 3.2% | Akron + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $77,608 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $44,475 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $71,089 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 3.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 9.7% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 38.7% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Bismarck
$373,227
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $373,227 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 65.8% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Bismarck
2037
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 288 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2037 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Bismarck
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 35.2% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 13.3% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 6.6% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 20.4% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 12.0% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 42.4°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 19.6 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 16.7 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Bismarck has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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