Akron OH vs Chattanooga TN — 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%
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Chattanooga
182,832
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
White
Akron
56.1%
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Chattanooga
28.6%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Chattanooga
2.4%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 182,832 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.6 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 7.7% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 56.1% | 58.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 29.4% | 28.6% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.4% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 9.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $61,028 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $40,040 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,097 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 17.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 35.5% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Chattanooga
$322,291
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $322,291 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 53.1% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Chattanooga
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Chattanooga
2350
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 639 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2350 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Chattanooga
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Chattanooga
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 36.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.2% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.7% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.2% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.7% | Chattanooga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Chattanooga
52.5 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 60.9°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 52.5 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 20.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, 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 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga 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