Akron OH vs Spokane Valley WA — 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Akron
56.1%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spokane Valley +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 105,460 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.6 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 5.1% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 29.4% | 1.4% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.7% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 7.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Spokane Valley
24.8%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 24.8% | Spokane Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $414,734 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Spokane Valley
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Akron, OH | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3409 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.2% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, 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 383 in Spokane Valley. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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