Akron OH vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.1 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 5.9% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 11.7% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.6% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 8.0% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Akron +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Akron +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Akron +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $39,575 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $24,029 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 14.1% | Akron + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 31.5% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 17.6% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Detroit
49.7%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 49.7% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Akron +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Akron +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Akron +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Akron +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 45.6% | Akron + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.2% | Akron + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 22.6% | Akron + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.6% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 21.8% | Akron + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Detroit
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 50.3°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Akron +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Detroit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Akron + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 27.3 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Akron leads in median household income at $48,544, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Akron has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Akron 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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