Akron OH vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 56.1% | 53.7% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 7.8% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.9% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $411,323 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Akron, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2150 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 17.3% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.3% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 72.1°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 27.7 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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