Akron OH vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Overland Park
143,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Overland Park
36.6
Overland Park +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Overland Park
10.7%
Overland Park +
White
Akron
56.1%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Overland Park
4.2%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Overland Park
12.6%
Overland Park +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 143,720 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.6 | Overland Park + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 10.7% | Overland Park + |
| White | 56.1% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 29.4% | 4.9% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 4.2% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 12.6% | Overland Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $48,655 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 49.4% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Overland Park
$487,466
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $487,466 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Overland Park
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Overland Park
2174
| Metric | Akron, OH | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 449 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2174 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Overland Park
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 30.0% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.2% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.9% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Overland Park + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Overland Park
22.4 min
Overland Park +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 22.4 min | Overland Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, 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 449 in Overland Park. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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