Akron OH vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Akron
56.1%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 56.1% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 29.4% | 12.1% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $435,532 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 42.4% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.1% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 48.1 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 27.3 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, 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 326 in Worcester. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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