Akron OH vs Ontario 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Ontario
53.6%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 138,723 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.9 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 56.1% | 53.6% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 1.6% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $671,948 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Akron, OH | Ontario, 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%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Ontario
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 17.0% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.7% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 65.5°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 28.2 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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