Akron OH vs Chandler AZ — 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%
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Chandler
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Chandler
37.4
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
White
Akron
56.1%
Chandler
62.6%
Chandler +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Chandler
5.2%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 278,123 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.4 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 15.4% | Chandler + |
| White | 56.1% | 62.6% | Chandler + |
| Black | 29.4% | 5.2% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 11.4% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 21.4% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Chandler
$59,120
Chandler +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $103,691 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $51,746 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Chandler + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 3.6% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 7.7% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 46.8% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Chandler
$524,013
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $524,013 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 65.6% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Chandler
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Chandler
2150
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2150 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Chandler
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 28.2% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.1% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 14.1% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.7% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.7% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 9.4% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Chandler
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chandler, AZ | 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
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Chandler
75.0%
Chandler +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chandler + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Chandler
26.1 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 26.1 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, 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 450 in Chandler. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
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