Akron OH vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 153,455 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 56.1% | 30.4% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 1.5% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $2,144,024 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 43.8% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Akron, OH | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sunnyvale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 25.3 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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