Akron OH vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 56.1% | 41.5% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.2% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Akron +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $46,628 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 7.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 26.6% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $241,627 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 37.2% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.9% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.3% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.6% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Akron leads in median household income at $48,544, 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 434 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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