Akron OH vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 56.1% | 39.1% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 4.1% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $580,173 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 41.1% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Akron, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 24.0% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 32.8 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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