Akron OH vs Cedar Rapids IA — 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%
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Cedar Rapids +
White
Akron
56.1%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 136,859 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.9 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 7.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| White | 56.1% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 29.4% | 8.5% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.5% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 5.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $67,859 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $39,824 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,226 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 32.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $210,271 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 68.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1452 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 36.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 17.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 20.4% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 50.3°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 37.6 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Cedar Rapids +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Cedar Rapids + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cedar Rapids has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
Compare More Cities
Akron, OH vs New York, NYAkron, OH vs Los Angeles, CAAkron, OH vs Chicago, ILAkron, OH vs Houston, TXAkron, OH vs Phoenix, AZAkron, OH vs Philadelphia, PA