Akron OH vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Akron
56.1%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 71,455 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 4.6% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 29.4% | 6.3% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.0% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 5.6% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $55,429 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,097 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $294,254 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 49.8% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Akron, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 639 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2350 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Akron +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 21.1% | Akron + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.9% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.3% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 17.4% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Johnson City, TN | 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
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, 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 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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