Akron OH vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 56.1% | 53.8% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 27.5% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $435,807 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Akron, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.3% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 61.1°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 46.2 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 25.1 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
Compare More Cities
Akron, OH vs New York, NYAkron, OH vs Los Angeles, CAAkron, OH vs Chicago, ILAkron, OH vs Houston, TXAkron, OH vs Phoenix, AZAkron, OH vs Philadelphia, PA