Akron OH vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 56.1% | 25.0% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.7% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Akron +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $51,211 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 8.3% | Akron + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 22.5% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Memphis
$147,306
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $147,306 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 46.0% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Akron, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 639 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2350 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Memphis
42.1%
Memphis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Akron +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Akron +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Akron +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 42.1% | Memphis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.6% | Akron + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 20.7% | Akron + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.9% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 19.9% | Akron + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 60.9°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 54.9 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis leads in median household income at $51,211, 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 639 in Memphis. Akron has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Memphis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.1%.
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