Akron OH vs Cambridge 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%
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Cambridge
117,794
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Akron
56.1%
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Cambridge
10.5%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Cambridge
8.9%
Cambridge +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 117,794 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 30.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 56.1% | 57.5% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 29.4% | 10.5% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 8.9% | Cambridge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 12.4% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $1,041,988 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 33.7% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Cambridge
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1086 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Cambridge
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 5.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.0% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.5% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cambridge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Cambridge
28.3 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 28.3 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, 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 Cambridge. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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