Milwaukee-Waukesha and Akron 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
Milwaukee-Waukesha
Akron
Opportunity
71 · Top 22%
vs68 · Top 25%
Growth
32 · Bottom 23%
vs24 · Bottom 13%
Climate
61 · Bottom 31%
vs64 · Bottom 43%
Physical resilience
98 · Top 1%
vs91 · Top 4%
Housing affordability
90 · Bottom 36%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
64 · Bottom 28%
vs95 · Top 14%
Economic stability
77 · Top 18%
vs72 · Top 22%
Measured values
| Metric | Milwaukee-Waukesha | Akron | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,568,938 | 699,820 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $78,218 | $72,371 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $45,732 | $42,464 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,078/sq mi | 777/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $306,400 | $213,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,139 | $1,033 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 60.4% | 68.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | 3.7% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 0.4% | 0.1% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.6% | 35.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.3% | 12.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 3,000 | 678 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.9 | 1.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -19.5% | -40.7% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 85°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 17°F | 21°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 34.6" | 32.5" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 65 mi | 17 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.3 min | 25.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.7 | 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
Milwaukee-Waukesha
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.
Milwaukee-Waukesha
70
Your Score
72
Area Score
Akron
73
Your Score
72
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area · Akron, OH Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology