Akron OH vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 56.1% | 40.7% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 13.3% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $429,449 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 41.2% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.6% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.7% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 27.4 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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