Akron OH vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Akron
56.1%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 124,865 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.4 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 4.8% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 29.4% | 1.6% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.1% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,074 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $534,732 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.6% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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