Akron OH vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 170,013 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 56.1% | 35.5% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 21.4% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 4.0% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Lancaster
$29,766
Lancaster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $29,766 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 7.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 20.1% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $466,147 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.3% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.9% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.8% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 62.1°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 33.0 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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