Akron OH vs Charlotte 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%
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Charlotte
41.5%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 886,283 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.4 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 18.1% | Charlotte + |
| White | 56.1% | 41.5% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 34.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 6.3% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 17.0% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $78,438 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $49,991 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 11.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 47.4% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Charlotte
$399,070
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $399,070 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 51.5% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Charlotte
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Charlotte
1999
| Metric | Akron, OH | Charlotte, 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%
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Charlotte
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Charlotte
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 30.1% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.1% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.4% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.4% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.4% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 11.4% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Charlotte
59.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Charlotte
41.6 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 59.9°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 41.6 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Charlotte
26.7 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 26.7 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, 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 Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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