Akron OH vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 56.1% | 36.5% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Akron +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $51,888 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $29,679 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 23.3% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $226,456 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 41.5% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Milwaukee
41.8%
Milwaukee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Milwaukee
17.3%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 41.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.1% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.3% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 17.3% | Milwaukee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 24.1 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Milwaukee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.8%.
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