Akron OH vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 119,970 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 56.1% | 26.4% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.3% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Akron +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Akron +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Akron +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $45,300 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $27,319 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 10.6% | Akron + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 25.5% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 18.3% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Hartford
$199,359
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $199,359 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 25.8% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Hartford
40.4%
Hartford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Hartford
15.8%
Hartford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Akron +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 40.4% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.8% | Hartford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 20.8% | Akron + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 20.3% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.3% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 50.6°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 45.9 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 24.4 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Akron leads in median household income at $48,544, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Akron has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hartford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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