Akron OH vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 183,032 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 42.9 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 56.1% | 51.3% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 28.8% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.6% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $510,297 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Fort Lauderdale
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.7% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.9% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 13.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 75.5°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 66.5 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 28.5 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, 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 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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