Akron OH vs New York NY — 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
New York
35.9%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.0 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 56.1% | 35.9% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 22.7% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
New York
7.7%
New York +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Akron, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 7.7% | New York + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Akron, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $816,078 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 32.8% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Akron, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Akron, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.6% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.9% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 55.4°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 46.6 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Akron, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 44.2 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. New York has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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