Akron OH vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 56.1% | 44.0% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.7% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $310,519 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 45.7% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.9% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.1% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 60.6°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 50.8 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 24.4 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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