Akron OH vs Kirkland 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
White
Akron
56.1%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 57,088 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.7 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 12.4% | Kirkland + |
| White | 56.1% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 29.4% | 6.1% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 32.2% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $1,274,801 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Kirkland
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Akron, OH | Kirkland, 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%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.1% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Kirkland, WA | 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
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 28.2 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, 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 Kirkland. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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