Akron OH vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Akron
56.1%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.3 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 56.1% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 29.4% | 10.5% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $496,966 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tacoma, 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%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.8% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 53.5°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 39.2 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 31.1 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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