Akron OH vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 147,649 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.5 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 56.1% | 55.5% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 21.8% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.7% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Akron +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 8.6% | Akron + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 23.2% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Rockford
$180,220
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $180,220 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Akron +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Rockford
18.1%
Rockford +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 44.7% | Akron + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.0% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.5% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 18.1% | Rockford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, 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 344 in Rockford. Akron has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Akron scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.7%.
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