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Unlike large cities, living in smaller ones has a lot of perks and this works for Akron, Ohio as well. When you have a dream to live in a scenically blessed city but with all the benefits of a big city, moving to Akron, Ohio needs to be your priority.

Situated in Summit County in the Northeast corner of Ohio, Akron is divided into two parts by Ohio and Erie Canal and is one of the prettiest cities to start a new life, if that’s what you have in mind. And while you consider moving to Akron, Ohio, tons of queries may crop up in your mind. But worry not, as we’ve got answers for all of them.

Yes, our ultimate Akron moving guide is the best encyclopedia of the city that you can get.

To get the best and most reliable information about Akron’s lifestyle, people, schools, jobs, safety, and living cost, let’s walk forward.

QuickFacts

Quick facts to know before you move to Akron, OH

  • Akron falls into the Cleveland region but the residents do not consider the city to be a suburb of Cleveland
  • It is the 5th largest city in Ohio
  • Akron is divided into two parts - the Ohio and Erie Canal
  • Akron was the first city to have a police car in the US
  • The city is home to one of the largest unsupported buildings in the world, standing at an impressive 22 stories high
  • It is also widely regarded as the birthplace of the trucking industry in the United States
  • The city has a low house ownership rate

Top 10 things to know before moving to Akron

  • The cost of living is relatively low in Akron
  • The population is highly diverse
  • The public transport system is robust here
  • There are some great neighborhoods to live in
  • There is a low risk of hurricanes and earthquakes
  • High property tax is a concern
  • The poverty rate is also high in Akron
  • Akron is relatively safer than most neighboring cities
  • The city experiences a typical Midwest climate
  • The University of Akron is one of the best places for Ph.D. students in the US

What is it like to live in Akron, OH?

An average major city in Ohio State, Akron promises a calm small city vibe amidst the serene setting. Low living costs, a relatively safer environment, and several fun activities will make life easier. Akron also has got some good colleges and schools.

Why is rent higher in Akron, Ohio?

You need to know that home rents are not cheap in Akron as the city has a disproportionate share of homes built around World War I and World War II. Most homes are built in concentrated neighborhoods with extreme “rent burdens”. In another way, the residents are forced to pay about 35% or more of their monthly income as rent.

Is tap water in Akron safe to drink?

Yes, Akron's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as the authorities continuously ensure the drinking quality. No active health-based violations are reported and pollutants are normally absent in water flowing through city taps.

Is Akron a safe city?

Akron is a moderately safe city. When you compare the crime statistics with equally populated cities in the US, you’ll see that Akron's average annual rate of crime is 35.02 per 1,000 residents. Property crime is the biggest threat in Akron, with theft and burglary scoring the highest.

What's the Population of Akron, OH?

The 5th largest city of Ohio has a population of 190,469, making it the 125th largest city in the United States. The Akron Metropolitan Area has an estimated population of 703,505. This means the city density is 3,075.40/sq mi and the metropolitan area has a density of 1,802.4/sq mi, making it the 83rd largest in the US.

To have a better idea about the city demographics, we’ve got a quick breakdown of the Akron population.

  • Akron’s total population is 195,994
  • The population is made up of 48.1% males and 58.9% females
  • The median age in the city is 37.4
  • The city population is made up of 58.8% White, 30.3% Black or African American, 4.0% Asian, and 4.1% from two or more races
  • About 2.4% of the population is of Hispanic ethnicity
  • The median household size in Akron is 2.3 persons
  • About 37.8% of the residents are married couples living together
  • On average, 28.7% of the residents are single and have children

How fast can you commute to Akron, OH?

A big advantage of moving to Akron is the low commuting time. Living here, you’d spend less time behind the wheel as the average one-way commute in Akron takes 21.5 minutes. That's shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.

As you may be interested to know more about commuting in Akron, here are a few facts.

  • About 81.3% drive their car alone
  • About 9.6% carpool with others
  • About 2.2% work from home
  • Approximately 4.2% take mass transit

Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Akron, OH.

What is the weather like in Akron, OH?

The city has a typical Midwest climate, a humid continental with 4 distinct seasons. While winters are cold and dry, with a mix of rain, sleet, and snow with occasional heavy snowfall and icing, the summers are typically very warm and humid with temperatures at or above 90 °F on 8.0 days per year on average. July is the warmest month and January is the snowiest in Akron.

Let’s take a look at some additional facts about the climate in Akron.

  • Akron receives about 38 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year
  • The city averages 42 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year
  • On average, Akron gets about 164 sunny days per year against the US average of 205 sunny days
  • The city receives some kind of precipitation, on average, 142 days per year in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail
  • July is the hottest month while January is the coldest
move to Akron

Top reasons to move to Akron, OH

While you see many people moving to Akron, you’d be surprised why! And here are the reasons

  • Racial diversity
  • Low risk of natural disasters
  • Good schools
  • Peaceful atmosphere
  • Small town vibe
  • Good livability factors
pros and cons of Akron

Pros & Cons of moving to Akron

Now moving to Akron is not always about the best things in the world. Do not assume that the city is free from all negatives as Akron too has got its share of negatives.

Know both the pros and cons of Akron to analyze both before you make a final call.

The pros
  • Good living standards
  • Quality education
  • Many open spaces
  • Relatively low crime rate
  • Diverse population
The cons
  • Extreme weather patterns
  • High level of poverty
  • High property rates
  • Low house ownership rates
  • High home rental

Best neighborhoods in Akron, OH

As you’re in the last leg of your move, knowing the best neighborhoods in Akron will be a good idea.

This will benefit you while searching for a home to buy or rent after reaching Akron. To help you, we’ve filtered out the 10 best neighborhoods in Akron.

Here are the top 10 best neighborhoods in Akron.

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value
1 Highland Square 10,828 $98,953
2 Northwest Akron 10,918 $165,320
3 Fairlawn Heights 2,875 $201,93
4 Wallhaven 4,239 $127,160
5 Merriman Valley 7,748 $116,643
6 Firestone Park 14,566 $78,442
7 Ellet 17,085 $94,107
8 Goodyear Heights 19,778 $71,329
9 North Hill 15,861 $53,360
10 West Akron 15,512 $76,367

Cost of living in Akron

As you think about moving to a new place, the expenses become a concern and when the new destination is Akron, things won’t be as complicated as you assume.

Here, the cost of living is much lower than in most parts of the country. Health, groceries, transport, utilities, and most other things cost less here than in most Ohio cities.

And to give you a good idea about the living cost; we’ve got the latest stats.

Living Expense Akron Ohio National Average
Overall 68.9 82.7 100
Grocery 93.5 96.1 100
Health 26.4 61.6 100
Housing 50.6 50.9 100
Median Home Cost $76,900 $179,900 $291,700
Utilities 92.3 100 100
Transportation 80.3 83.9 100
Miscellaneous 107.1 89.3 100

How is the job market in Akron, Ohio?

Unless your company has moved you to Akron, you would need a job to survive and Akron has got some good offices.

The jobs have increased by 0.8% over the last year and the pay scale is also good. Some big companies including Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, FirstEnergy, GOJO, and Advanced Elastomer Systems have offices in the city.

Here are a few points on the Akron job market.

  • The job growth in Akron is positive
  • Jobs have increased by 0.8% over the past year
  • The future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 26.8%
  • The unemployment rate in Akron is 6.9%
  • The average income of an Akron resident is $47,631 a year

Let’s take a look at the Akron job market to understand it better

Employment Information Akron Ohio United States
The income per Cap $22,416 $31,177
Household Income $36,223 $57,652
Unemployment Rate 6.9 6.0%
Recent Job Growth -5.37% -6.18%
Future Job Growth 26.18% 33.51%

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Fastest growing jobs in Akron, Ohio

When a job is a priority in Akron, knowing the fastest growing jobs would make things easier. You can easily analyze your job chances even before reaching Akron. And to help you, we’ve prepared a table of the fastest-growing jobs in the city.

Here are the 10 top fastest-growing jobs in the city.

Rank Job Title % Growth Average salary
1 Occupational therapy assistant 147.8% $59,070
2 Home health aide 139.6% $21,450
3 Physical therapy aide 139.1% $58,080
4 Physical therapy assistant 135.2% $27,160
5 Statistician 131.8% $85,530
6 Physician assistant 128.2% $104,680
7 Nurse practitioner 128.0% $99,680
8 Physical therapist 129.7% $86,180
9 Web developer 126.4% $59,950
10 Speech language pathology internship 125.4% $76,760

Top career options in Akron, OH

Next in the line are the highest-paying jobs in Akron. This is crucial while moving to Akron as when you know the best-paying jobs, it becomes easier to filter the jobs while searching.

We’ve got a list of the 10 best-paying jobs in Akron

Rank Job Title Average Salary Entry Level Salary
1 Obstetricians and gynecologists $232,120 $129,880
2 Chief executives $215,490 $88,870
3 Psychiatrists $208,150 $158,660
4 Dentists, general $186,090 $132,290
5 Family and general practitioners $179,460 $53,110
6 Physicians and surgeons, all other $176,840 $51,870
7 Internists, general $155,620 $57,370
8 Podiatrists $147,290 $86,150
9 Nurse anesthetists $141,200 $105,520
10 Optometrists $131,640 $61,060

What's the average salary & income in Akron, Ohio?

An average job will help you annually earn approximately $47,631 in Akron. Considering the home rental, utilities, transportation cost, and healthcare, Akron is not expensive and cheap to live in, which means a two-member family can comfortably live with this income. The salary in Akron may differ based on your experience, job type, and many other factors. And to help you, we’ve collated a few facts about the average salary and income in the city.

  • Akron’s average annual pay for average jobs is $47,631 a year
  • Akron’s average hourly pay for average jobs is $22.95 an hour
  • Akron’s average monthly pay for average jobs is $3,977 a month
  • Akron’s top earners (90th percentile) make $72,646 annually

Major industries in Akron

It is always good to know the major industries in Akron before you reach there as you’ll know whether moving here would be worth it. You can determine whether your area of job or industry is prominent here.

Here is a list of major industries in Akron.

  • Healthcare
  • Banking
  • Utilities
  • Manufacturing

Best companies to work for if you’re moving to Akron, OH

While you search for a job in Akron, having an idea about the best companies or most employee-friendly ones will benefit you. When you have the list, you know where to apply.

And fortunately, we’ve got a list of 10 such firms. Just check.

  • Gojo Industries
  • Akron Children’s Hospital
  • Sterling Jewelry
  • FirstEnergy
  • Summa Health
  • Buckingham
  • Brennan Manna Diamond
  • Signet Jewelers
  • Goodyear
  • Famous Supply

How is the housing market in Akron, OH?

Reaching Akron, your priority would be to rent a home in a decent neighborhood. As the home-owner distribution is unequal in Akron, it would be tough to get a good home at an affordable rent. The home rent is slightly higher here than in most Ohio cities. About 39.9% of the residents in Akron stay in rented homes while 2.8% of houses in the city are available for rent.

Here are some of the latest housing stats in Akron.

  • Akron’s average rent for a studio apartment is $497
  • Akron’s average rent for a 1-bedroom home or apartment is $573
  • Akron’s average rent for a 2-bedroom home or apartment is $726
  • Akron’s average rent for a 3-bedroom home or apartment is $918
  • Akron’s average rent for a 4-bedroom home or apartment is $984

What are taxes like in Akron, OH

Your salary is greatly influenced by the taxes deducted by the authorities.

What you take home is what you receive after all cuts and when you know the normal and common taxes levied in Akron, it becomes easier to decide whether the paycheck is worthy here.

Here are a few tax-related facts existing in Akron, OH.

  • The Sales Tax Rate for Akron is 6.8%. The US average is 7.3%
  • The Income Tax Rate for Akron is 5.8%. The US average is 4.6%
  • The average property tax rate in Akron is 1.41%

What are the best things to do in Akron, OH?

A big plus of moving to Akron is the serene surrounding and unlimited fun factors.

You’ll get the chance to have as much fun as you want if you’re moving to Reno. The city is lively and there are

There’s a wide range of family activities, festivals, and sports events to keep you hooked every weekend or holiday. There’s no shortage of historic spots and cultural centers as well.

To guide you more, we’ve collated a list of 10 top things to do in Akron.

  • Watch a concert or a sporting event at John S. Knight Center
  • Gaze at the Akron Zoo's Wildlife
  • Appreciate art at Summit Artspace Gallery
  • Explore the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
  • Camp at Summit County Metroparks
  • See the Akron Soul Train exhibitions
  • Rent a bike from Summit Bike Share and explore the Towpath Trail
  • Admire the architecture of Simon Perkins Stone Mansion
  • Watch a live show at Lock 3 Park
  • Catch a show at Akron Civic Theater

How safe is Akron?

Akron ranges average when it comes to safety. The crime rate in the city is much higher than the national average but about 46% of the residents feel safe here. As per the latest stats, Akron is safer than 4% of US cities.

To help you know the crime stats in Akron, we’ve got a few facts.

  • Akron’s violent crime is 35.5 while the US average is 22.7
  • The city’s property crime is 61.9 while the US average is 35.4
  • Your chance of being a violent crime victim is 1 in 116 in Akron
  • Your chance of being a property crime victim is 1 in 29 in Akron
  • About 46% of the residents find the city pretty safe

What are the top schools in Akron, OH?

Akron ranks high in education as there are many good-quality schools and colleges within the city limits and neighboring areas

To help you, we’ve compiled names of the best schools and colleges in Akron and nearby. Here’s our list.

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