Akron OH vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Akron
56.1%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 56.1% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 29.4% | 8.8% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.6% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $541,899 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 49.1% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Akron, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 512 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3234 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.3% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 25.9% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 27.4 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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