Akron OH vs Dayton 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%
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Dayton
51.3%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 136,741 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 5.0% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 51.3% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.2% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 5.5% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Akron +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Akron +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Dayton
$58,300
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Akron +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $43,454 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $26,381 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,300 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 9.7% | Akron + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 27.1% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 20.7% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 48.2% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Dayton
319
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Dayton
1866
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Dayton, 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%
Akron +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Akron +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Akron +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Dayton
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Akron +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 42.9% | Akron + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.6% | Akron + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 21.6% | Akron + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.2% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.6% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 20.5% | Akron + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Dayton
54.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Dayton
40.3 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 54.1°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 40.3 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Dayton
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Akron leads in median household income at $48,544, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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 Dayton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Akron scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.7%.
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