Living in Akron, OH
Akron is the 139th-largest city in the US, home to about 190,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (93.4 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 189,691-0.4% since 2020
- Median home value
- $122,0002.5 years of median income
- Median rent
- $955/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $48,076median, per year
- Price level
- 93.4US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 36° / 84°lows 20° / 63°
- Average commute
- 22 min11% work from home
- State income tax
- 2.75%top rate, flat
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County: Summit County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 955 ft
Metro area: Akron, OH
Cost of living in Akron
The median home in Akron is worth $122,000 and the median household earns $48,076 a year, so a typical home costs about 2.5 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $955 a month, about 24% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Akron, OH metro area at 93.4, with housing at 76.8 and goods at 93.6 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $70,000 here. Ohio taxes wages at a top rate of 2.75% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Ohio is 7.29%.
What would my salary be worth in Akron?
Akron weather
Average highs run from 36°F in January to 84°F in July, and January nights average 20°F. It gets 42 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 47 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 120 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Akron
People and work
The median resident is 36.9 years old, and 24% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 51% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 22 minutes; 11% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 36.9298th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 24%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 51%of households
- People per sq mile
- 3,06361.9 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%2% walk, 0.3% bike
- Unemployment
- 7.8%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 23.3%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1954median year
Who moves to Akron, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Columbus (Franklin County), Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Cape Coral (Lee County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Columbus (Franklin County), Chicago (Cook County) and Cape Coral (Lee County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Summit County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, inland flooding, winter weather, hail.
Home prices
+3.2% in a year
Up 46% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Akron, OH area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
62% good days
3 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Akron, OH area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Akron
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Progressive Field 30 miles
- Kent State University at Kent 10 miles
- University of Akron Main Campus in Akron
- Cleveland State University 30 miles
- Case Western Reserve University 30 miles
- Baldwin Wallace University 27 miles
- University of Mount Union 25 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Akron
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Akron-Canton Airport CAK | 12 mi | 380,232 |
| Cleveland Hopkins International Airport CLE | 29 mi | 4,950,345 |
| Pittsburgh International Airport PIT | 77 mi | 4,862,376 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Akron
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent State University at Kent | 10 mi | 19,320 | $20,294 | 51% |
| University of Akron Main Campus | in town | 9,052 | $13,072 | 53% |
| University of Mount Union | 25 mi | 1,995 | $23,956 | 65% |
| Walsh University | 16 mi | 1,390 | $19,588 | 58% |
| Malone University | 19 mi | 798 | $12,621 | 56% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Akron
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 24, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 13 and the first frost comes around October 26.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Akron Canton Regional Airport, OH, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Akron.
Wildfire smoke in Akron
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Akron on about 122 days a year, including about 26 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Akron
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 84,734 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Akron
Downtown Akron is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron City School District | Pre-K to 12 | 19,986 | 45 | 13.2 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Stow-Munroe Falls City School District (4,926 students), Hudson City School District (4,468 students), Wadsworth City School District (4,275 students), Green Local School District (3,921 students), Cuyahoga Falls City School District (3,848 students), Barberton City School District (3,448 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Akron's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Akron's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Scranton, PA87% matchCompare
- Rockford, IL80% matchCompare
- Reading, PA76% matchCompare
- Peoria, IL75% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Akron
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Akron
- Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort 14 miles
- Alpine Valley Ski Area 34 miles
- Mountain View at Edinboro 92 miles
- Boyce Park 102 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Akron
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 2.5 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 7% below the US average (BEA).
Cons
- Data Winters are snowy: about 47 inches a year.
- Data Poverty is high: 23.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
Akron report card from locals
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Cities near Akron
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parma, OH | 24 mi | 78,581 | $170,100 | 93.9 | Compare |
| Cleveland, OH | 30 mi | 363,608 | $102,000 | 93.9 | Compare |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 90 mi | 307,632 | $205,800 | 94.7 | Compare |
| Erie, PA | 104 mi | 91,838 | $115,200 | 91.0 | Compare |
| Columbus, OH | 110 mi | 938,396 | $252,900 | 95.5 | Compare |
| Toledo, OH | 112 mi | 263,423 | $114,500 | 91.5 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Akron with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Akron a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, 6 comfortable months a year, short commutes; the trade-offs are heavy snow. Compare Akron side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Akron?
The Census Bureau estimates Akron had 189,691 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 190,434 in April 2020 (-0.4%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Akron?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $70,000 in the Akron area. The median household here earns $48,076.
When is the best time to visit Akron?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 84°F and January 36°F for daytime highs.
What county is Akron in?
Akron is in Summit County, Ohio. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Akron in?
Akron is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Akron?
About 955 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Ohio have a state income tax?
Yes. Ohio has a flat income tax with a top rate of 2.75% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Akron. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Akron, OH metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Akron Canton Regional Airport, OH station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.