Akron OH vs Buffalo NY — 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%
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Buffalo
45.4%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 276,397 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 10.5% | Buffalo + |
| White | 56.1% | 45.4% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 32.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 12.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Akron +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $48,050 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $30,995 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 7.2% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 27.4% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 30.3% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Buffalo
$241,380
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $241,380 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 42.7% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Buffalo
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Buffalo
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 38.4% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.4% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.1% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.3% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.5% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Buffalo
40.5 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 40.5 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 21.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Akron leads in median household income at $48,544, 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 434 in Buffalo. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Buffalo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.4%.
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