Akron OH vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Akron
56.1%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 56.1% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 29.4% | 14.4% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 4.2% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $52,606 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $332,727 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 55.6°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 45.2 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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