Akron OH vs Los Angeles 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%
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Los Angeles
37.3%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Los Angeles
8.5%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 3,857,897 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.9 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 56.1% | 37.3% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 8.5% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 12.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 47.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Los Angeles
7.9%
Los Angeles +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $80,366 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $46,270 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 7.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 16.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 37.8% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Los Angeles
$956,465
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Los Angeles
36.3%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $956,465 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 36.3% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Los Angeles
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Los Angeles
2388
| Metric | Akron, OH | Los Angeles, 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%
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Los Angeles
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Los Angeles
15.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 27.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 17.4% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.2% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.9% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 62.6°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 12.8 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Los Angeles
33.8 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 33.8 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. Los Angeles has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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