Akron OH vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Akron
56.1%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 186,419 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 56.1% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 29.4% | 7.8% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $468,328 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 41.6% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tempe, 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%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.7% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.3% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 71.3°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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