Akron OH vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Independence
5.3%
White
Akron
56.1%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 121,944 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.4 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 5.3% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 29.4% | 10.8% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.4% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 20.9% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Independence
$210,384
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $210,384 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Akron, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2418 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Independence
18.4%
Independence +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.9% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.5% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.8% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 18.4% | Independence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 54.5°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 43.7 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 25.5 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, 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 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
Compare More Cities
Akron, OH vs New York, NYAkron, OH vs Los Angeles, CAAkron, OH vs Chicago, ILAkron, OH vs Houston, TXAkron, OH vs Phoenix, AZAkron, OH vs Philadelphia, PA