Akron OH vs Springfield MO — 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%
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Akron
56.1%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Springfield
5.6%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 169,432 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 3.8% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 29.4% | 4.3% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.7% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 5.6% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Akron +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Springfield
$30,864
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $45,984 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $30,864 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $245,279 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 42.9% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Akron, OH | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2418 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Springfield
17.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.6% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 17.1% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 56.3°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 45.6 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Akron leads in median household income at $48,544, 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 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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