Akron OH vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Toledo
35.7
Toledo +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Akron
56.1%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Toledo
28.7%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Toledo
8.9%
Toledo +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.7 | Toledo + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 3.4% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 29.4% | 28.7% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.4% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 8.9% | Toledo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Akron +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Akron +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Toledo
$58,300
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Akron +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $47,532 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $27,407 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,300 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 8.5% | Akron + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 24.5% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 21.0% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Toledo
319
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Toledo
1866
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1866 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Toledo
15.7%
Toledo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Toledo
20.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Toledo
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Akron +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 39.3% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.7% | Toledo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 20.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.3% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.9% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 19.9% | Akron + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 50.6°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Akron leads in median household income at $48,544, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Akron has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Toledo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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