Akron and Rochester receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Akron
Rochester
Opportunity
68 · Top 26%
vs58 · Top 45%
Growth
19 · Bottom 6%
vs29 · Bottom 19%
Climate
64 · Bottom 41%
vs62 · Bottom 34%
Physical resilience
91 · Top 5%
vs94 · Top 2%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 17%
vs100 · Top 17%
Access
95 · Top 23%
vs98 · Top 12%
Economic stability
72 · Top 30%
vs66 · Top 41%
Measured values
| Metric | Akron | Rochester | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,820 | 1,058,413 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $72,371 | $76,284 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $42,464 | $43,131 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 777/sq mi | 362/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $213,000 | $204,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,033 | $1,143 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 68.1% | 67.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7% | 4.0% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 0.1% | -1.0% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 38.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.6% | 12.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 678 | 1,774 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.0 | 1.7 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -40.7% | 5.9% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 85°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 21°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 32.5" | 35.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 17 mi | 7 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 25.1 min | 22.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 41.0 | 40.7 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Akron
Elevated or high exposure: hail.
Rochester
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Full profiles: Akron, OH Metro Area · Rochester, NY Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology