Akron OH vs Gresham OR — 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Gresham
112,818
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Gresham
37.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
White
Akron
56.1%
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Gresham
4.4%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 112,818 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 16.5% | Gresham + |
| White | 56.1% | 67.7% | Gresham + |
| Black | 29.4% | 4.4% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 5.7% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 21.1% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Gresham
23.6%
Gresham +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $73,608 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $35,390 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,691 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 23.6% | Gresham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Gresham
$472,119
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $472,119 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 56.1% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Gresham
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Gresham
3001
| Metric | Akron, OH | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3001 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Gresham
20.4%
Gresham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Gresham
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Gresham
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Gresham
15.3%
Gresham +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 31.2% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.3% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 20.4% | Gresham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.0% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.2% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.3% | Gresham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Gresham, OR | 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
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Gresham
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Gresham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Gresham
28.8 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 28.8 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, 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 355 in Gresham. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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