Akron OH vs Columbus 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Columbus
53.3%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Columbus
29.0%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 56.1% | 53.3% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 29.0% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 7.9% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Columbus
$58,300
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $65,327 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $37,189 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,300 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 17.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 38.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Columbus
$248,749
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $248,749 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 44.3% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Columbus
319
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Columbus
1866
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Columbus, 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%
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Columbus
19.8%
Columbus +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 34.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.8% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.8% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.1% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.2% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Columbus
40.2 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 40.2 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 23.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Columbus has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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