Akron OH vs Santa Ana CA — 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Akron
56.1%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 91,535 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 42.9 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 56.1% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 29.4% | 4.9% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $865,610 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 28.8% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Akron, OH | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 20.7% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.7% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 65.6°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 28.0 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 503 in Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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