Akron OH vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 135,887 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 56.1% | 24.8% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 17.1% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.8% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Akron +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $63,874 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $28,490 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 14.2% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $531,592 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 25.4% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Elizabeth
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 17.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 28.1% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.9% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.0% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 29.3 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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