Akron OH vs Columbus GA — 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%
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Columbus
5.3%
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Columbus
39.3%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Columbus
2.6%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 204,383 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.1 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 5.3% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 39.3% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 46.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.6% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 8.3% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Columbus
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $56,622 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $32,811 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,405 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 18.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 29.7% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Columbus
$175,194
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Columbus
50.2%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $175,194 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 50.2% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Columbus
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 392 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1752 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Columbus
40.3%
Columbus +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Columbus
15.5%
Columbus +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Columbus
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 40.3% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.5% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.1% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.8% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.1% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Columbus
64.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Columbus
49.6 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 64.4°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 49.6 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Columbus +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Columbus + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 21.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, 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 392 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Columbus has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.3%.
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