Akron OH vs Modesto 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 56.1% | 50.8% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 4.7% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 7.3% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 20.3% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $447,353 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Akron, OH | Modesto, 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%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.0% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.5% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 63.7°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 30.5 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 Modesto. Modesto has a lower unemployment rate at 7.3%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
Compare More Cities
Akron, OH vs New York, NYAkron, OH vs Los Angeles, CAAkron, OH vs Chicago, ILAkron, OH vs Houston, TXAkron, OH vs Phoenix, AZAkron, OH vs Philadelphia, PA