Akron, OH Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Akron, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Akron →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Akron, Ohio is home to roughly 190,273 residents. The typical household here earns $46,596 a year — below the median we track across cities (-35%).
Anyone weighing a move to Akron should know the median home value is $99,700, below the multi-city median (-69%), and median rent runs $887 per month. Current mortgage rates and local property taxes both affect the real math of buying versus renting.
The ratio of median home value to median household income in Akron — roughly 2.1× — signals relatively affordable housing relative to local pay. Akron's home prices climbed 3.87% over the past year — steady appreciation without signs of overheating. Natural-hazard exposure in Akron is rated Relatively Moderate by FEMA — modest risk that generally keeps insurance premiums more manageable.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $887/mo in Akron would take 22.8% of your income.
$278/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($99,700) would take 13.7% of your income toward principal & interest.
$555/mo under the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Akron
Median home value is $99,700 and median gross rent is $887/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Summit rose 3.87% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,268/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Akron's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Moderate. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Akron reported a violent crime rate of 871.6 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Akron
Planning a move to Akron? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Akron, OH?
- The US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022) puts Akron's median home value at $99,700, median rent at $887/month, and median household income at $46,596.
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Akron?
- To keep rent under the commonly recommended 30% of income in Akron, where median rent runs $887/month, you'd want to earn about $35,480 annually. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Akron.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Akron?
- With a median home value of $99,700 and median rent of $887/month, renting comfortably in Akron takes about $35,480/year (the 30% guideline), while buying at the median price takes roughly $22,811/year in principal-and-interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates). The right call depends on how long you plan to stay and your down payment.
- Is Akron safe?
- Akron reported a violent crime rate of 871.6 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data. Compare that figure against other cities you're considering for context.
See the full salary breakdown for Akron →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Akron's.