Akron OH vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Akron
56.1%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 84,389 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 56.1% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 29.4% | 2.3% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.9% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $35,662 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 27.0% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $657,911 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Akron, OH | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3409 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.6% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.7% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 53.2°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 39.1 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, 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 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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