Akron OH vs Downey CA — 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%
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Downey
114,617
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Downey
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Downey
21.0%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Downey
0.4%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Downey
1.5%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Downey
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 114,617 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.0 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 39.4% | Downey + |
| White | 56.1% | 21.0% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 0.4% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.5% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 95.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Akron +
Downey
$23,265
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
Downey
10.6%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $68,378 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $23,265 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.0% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 16.6% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 10.6% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Downey
$888,820
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Downey
33.7%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $888,820 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 33.7% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Downey
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Downey
2388
| Metric | Akron, OH | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Downey
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Downey
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 27.6% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.8% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.8% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.1% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 9.9% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Downey
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 14.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Downey
33.1 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 33.1 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, 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 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Downey has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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