Akron, OH vs Columbus, OH
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Akron, OH and Columbus, OH spend within 4.1% of each other per resident — $19,638 versus $18,858 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Akron, OH holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 73/100 (grade B) against 52/100 (grade C) for Columbus, OH — a 21-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Akron, OH reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Columbus, OH carries $1,145 per resident. Their budgets diverge on where the largest per-resident dollars go: Akron, OH leads with fire protection at $922 per resident, while Columbus, OH leads with parks and recreation at $2,168.
Summary
Akron spends 4.1% more per capita than Columbus ($780/person difference). Akron, OH has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 73/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $10 |
| Sales Tax | $148 | $234 |
| Income Tax | $0 | $1 |
| Intergovernmental | $23,016 | $0 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,806 | $2,389 |
| Other | $6,798 | $5,248 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $922 | $1,016 |
| Highways & Roads | $0 | $224 |
| Public Welfare | $0 | $878 |
| Hospitals | $4,350 | $953 |
| Parks & Recreation | $689 | $2,168 |
| Housing | $3,898 | $4,303 |
| Sewerage | $8 | $1 |
| Utilities | $3,689 | $1,719 |
| Other | $6,081 | $7,595 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.