Akron OH vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 129,239 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 56.1% | 31.9% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 2.1% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $720,443 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 41.2% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Akron, OH | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.4% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.8% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 59.2°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 25.2 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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