Akron OH vs Brockton MA — 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%
Brockton, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 105,080
- Median HH Income$77,089
- Median Home Price$506,468
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Brockton
105,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Brockton
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Brockton
29.2%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Brockton
2.2%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Brockton
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 105,080 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.5 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 32.9% | Brockton + |
| White | 56.1% | 29.2% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 38.3% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.2% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 12.9% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Akron +
Brockton
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
Brockton
21.3%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $77,089 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $35,524 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,405 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 8.3% | Akron + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 13.9% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 21.3% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Brockton
$506,468
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $506,468 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 57.0% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Brockton
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1086 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Akron +
Brockton
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Brockton
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Brockton
17.7%
Brockton +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 35.9% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.4% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 21.4% | Akron + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.4% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.3% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 17.7% | Brockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Brockton
49.9 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 49.2°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 49.9 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Brockton
34.1 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 34.1 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, 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 326 in Brockton. Akron has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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