Akron OH vs Boise ID — 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%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Boise
38.2
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
White
Akron
56.1%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Boise
3.4%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 235,701 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.2 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 7.2% | Boise + |
| White | 56.1% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 29.4% | 1.4% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.4% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 9.5% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $81,308 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $48,274 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,074 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 10.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 46.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Boise
$504,894
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $504,894 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 63.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 49.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 18.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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