Akron OH vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Akron
56.1%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 82,506 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 48.4 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 56.1% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 29.4% | 8.8% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.7% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $312,001 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Lakeland
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 38.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 16.4% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.9% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 72.6°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 54.8 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 25.6 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, 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 324 in Lakeland. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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