Akron OH vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Akron
56.1%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.7 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 56.1% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 29.4% | 23.7% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.6% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 8.6% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $52,606 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Louisville
$264,957
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $264,957 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 43.3 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 24.2 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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