Akron OH vs Jersey City 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 56.1% | 28.7% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 21.4% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $664,939 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 28.8% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.0% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.3% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Jersey City, 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
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 40.3 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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