Akron OH vs Cincinnati OH — 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%
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Cincinnati
49.4%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Cincinnati
2.8%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Cincinnati
5.4%
Cincinnati +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 309,595 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.0 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 7.1% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 56.1% | 49.4% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 38.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.8% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 5.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Cincinnati
$58,300
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Cincinnati
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $51,707 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $38,878 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,300 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 24.5% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 41.3% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Cincinnati
$252,784
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Cincinnati
38.9%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $252,784 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 38.9% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Cincinnati
319
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Cincinnati
1866
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1866 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cincinnati +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Cincinnati
17.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 38.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.8% | Cincinnati + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.0% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.1% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Cincinnati
47.7 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 54.2°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 47.7 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Cincinnati
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Cincinnati
24.8 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 24.8 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Cincinnati has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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