Akron receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Buffalo-Cheektowaga
Akron
Opportunity
54 · Bottom 48%
vs68 · Top 26%
Growth
30 · Bottom 21%
vs19 · Bottom 6%
Climate
62 · Bottom 34%
vs64 · Bottom 41%
Physical resilience
80 · Top 18%
vs91 · Top 5%
Housing affordability
99 · Top 22%
vs100 · Top 17%
Access
97 · Top 20%
vs95 · Top 23%
Economic stability
61 · Top 47%
vs72 · Top 30%
Measured values
| Metric | Buffalo-Cheektowaga | Akron | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,161,343 | 699,820 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $72,237 | $72,371 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $42,074 | $42,464 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 742/sq mi | 777/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $226,100 | $213,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,057 | $1,033 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 66.8% | 68.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 3.7% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.8% | 0.1% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 35.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 13.8% | 12.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 1,422 | 678 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.2 | 1.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 18.2% | -40.7% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 80°F | 85°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 19°F | 21°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 32.5" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 8 mi | 17 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.9 min | 25.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.9 | 41.0 | 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
Buffalo-Cheektowaga
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Akron
Elevated or high exposure: hail.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Buffalo-Cheektowaga
69
Your Score
68
Area Score
Akron
73
Your Score
72
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY Metro Area · Akron, OH Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology