Akron OH vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Spokane
37.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Akron
56.1%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 6.1% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 29.4% | 2.7% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.9% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 7.8% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $400,636 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Akron, OH | Spokane, 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
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.5% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, 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. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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