Akron OH vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Chicago
28.4%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 56.1% | 39.1% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 28.4% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Chicago
7.9%
Chicago +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 7.9% | Chicago + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Chicago
$324,183
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $324,183 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 45.5% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Chicago
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.6% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 19.0% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 37.8 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Chicago +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Chicago
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Chicago + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 36.5 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, 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 344 in Chicago. Chicago has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Chicago has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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