Akron OH vs Cleveland 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%
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Cleveland
6.1%
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Cleveland
36.7%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Cleveland
2.3%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 367,523 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.3 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 6.1% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 36.7% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 46.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.3% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 12.8% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Akron +
Cleveland
$39,187
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Akron +
Cleveland
$27,078
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Cleveland
$58,300
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Akron +
Cleveland
11.5%
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Cleveland
30.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
Cleveland
21.3%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $39,187 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $27,078 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,300 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 11.5% | Akron + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 30.8% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 21.3% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Cleveland
41.2%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $117,703 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 41.2% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Cleveland
319
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Cleveland
1866
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cleveland, 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%
Cleveland
42.2%
Cleveland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Akron +
Cleveland
17.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Cleveland
19.6%
Cleveland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Cleveland
13.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Cleveland
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Akron +
Cleveland
21.5%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 42.2% | Cleveland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.7% | Akron + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.6% | Cleveland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.4% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.2% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 21.5% | Akron + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Cleveland
52.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 52.7°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 36.4 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Cleveland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cleveland, 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 +
Cleveland
24.3 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 24.3 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Akron leads in median household income at $48,544, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Akron has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Cleveland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cleveland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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