Akron OH vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 141,925 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 56.1% | 54.0% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 20.4% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.0% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Akron +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $28,819 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 24.0% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $196,465 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 48.9% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Akron, OH | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 20.4% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.2% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 66.6°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, 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 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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