Akron OH vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Cary
176,686
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Akron
56.1%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Cary
7.6%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 176,686 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 39.8 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 56.1% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 29.4% | 7.6% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 9.3% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $629,864 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Cary
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Cary
1999
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Cary
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 25.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.3% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 59.4°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 46.3 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Cary
24.3 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 24.3 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, 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 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cary has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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