Akron OH vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 56.1% | 36.1% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Akron +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 8.4% | Akron + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $233,814 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 57.1°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 48.5 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Philadelphia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 34.5 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, 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 319 in Philadelphia. Akron has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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