Akron OH vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Paterson
N/A
White
Akron
56.1%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Akron
29.4%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 56.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 29.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $527,542 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Paterson
16.1%
Paterson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Paterson
16.4%
Paterson +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.1% | Paterson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 28.6% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.3% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.4% | Paterson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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