Akron OH vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Akron
56.1%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.6 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 56.1% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 29.4% | 5.8% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $538,687 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Akron, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3001 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.7% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 51.6°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 78.3 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 26.5 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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