Akron OH vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Akron
56.1%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 149,519 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 41.6 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 56.1% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 29.4% | 4.8% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.6% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $422,520 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Akron, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2150 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.5% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.9% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 32.8 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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