Akron OH vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Lansing
56.1%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 112,546 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 56.1% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 23.4% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Akron +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $52,170 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $29,894 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 8.1% | Akron + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Lansing
$166,132
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $166,132 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 39.9% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.6% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.4% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.8% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Akron +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Akron + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, 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 471 in Lansing. Akron has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Akron has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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