Akron, Ohio Real Estate Market 2026: Score 88, Undervalued by 10%, Built for Investors

The Akron, Ohio real estate market scores 88 out of 100 on the PropertyIQ Score as of February 28, 2026. That score puts Akron among the highest-performing markets in Ohio and in the top tier nationally. The Akron Ohio real estate market has held at 88-93 for most of the past 12 months, with only a modest dip over the last three months reflecting seasonal patterns.

What makes Akron particularly interesting is not just the score. It is the combination of score, price, and valuation. Akron is currently undervalued by 9.7% according to PropertyIQ calculations, meaning prices are running below what the market fundamentals would typically support. That is rare for a market with an 88 score.

What an 88 Score Means for Akron

The PropertyIQ Score measures market health on a 0-to-100 scale using data from Zillow, Realtor.com, Census, and economic indicators, updated monthly. A score of 50 represents the Ohio state average. Akron at 88 is substantially above average for the state.

The 12-month score history: 92 in March 2025, 92-93 through summer, 93 in November 2025, 90 in December, 88 in January and February 2026. The recent dip of 5 points over three months is minimal given the longer-term context. The score remains in the upper quartile nationally, and the confidence level is A at 100%.

Akron Ohio Home Prices and Market Activity

As of February 2026, the median listing price in Akron is $225,000 per Realtor.com. The Zillow home value estimate stands at $228,466 as of January 2026. The two figures are closely aligned, which is unusual and indicates Akron listing prices are calibrated closely to actual market value.

Year-over-year home value appreciation is 3.22%. Month-over-month, prices rose 2.27% in February. The Zillow home price forecast for Akron as of December 2025 projects +3.1% appreciation over the next 12 months.

Key market activity metrics as of February 2026:

• Days on market: 54 days
• For-sale inventory: 812 active listings
• Inventory growth YoY: up 2.6% (modest, controlled)
• New listings YoY: down 3.8%
• Pending ratio: 0.84
• Price cut rate: 13.6%
• Price per square foot: $145
• Demand score: 92 out of 100
• Supply score: 73 out of 100
• Sale-to-list ratio: 100% (full asking price)

A demand score of 92, a pending ratio of 0.84, and a sale-to-list ratio of 100% tell a consistent story: Akron has strong buyer demand relative to available supply, and sellers are achieving full asking price consistently. The modest 2.6% inventory growth is keeping supply tight without the rapid expansion seen in softer markets.

The Undervaluation Signal

The overvaluation metric for Akron as of February 2026 shows the market is undervalued by 9.7%. This is a calculated figure comparing current home prices to what a model based on local incomes, rents, and economic conditions would predict prices should be.

Undervaluation at 9.7% while the market scores 88 is an unusual combination. Most high-scoring markets are at or above fair value because strong demand typically bids prices up toward or beyond equilibrium. The fact that Akron remains undervalued while demand is consistently strong suggests the market has room to appreciate further before it becomes overvalued.

For investors, undervaluation plus high demand score is among the most favorable combinations a market can show.

Akron Real Estate Investment Data

For investors evaluating the Akron Ohio real estate market:

• Listing price: $225,000 (February 2026)
• Zillow home value: $228,466 (January 2026)
• Gross rent multiplier: not directly available, but computable
• Rent index: approximately $1,232/month (Zillow, December 2025)
• 5-year home value appreciation: 46.25%
• Projected 1-year appreciation: 3.1% (Zillow, December 2025)
• Income needed to buy at median: $59,804
• Undervaluation: 9.7%

The five-year appreciation of 46.25% is the standout figure. Among all markets in this analysis, Akron has appreciated faster over five years than Dayton (39%), Fort Wayne (36%), and Worcester (28%), while maintaining the lowest median price of the group at $225K.

The rent-to-price calculation is also favorable. At $1,232/month in rent against a $228K median value, the gross yield is meaningful for an investor deploying capital in today's market. The income-to-buy threshold of $59,804 against a metro median income of $71,312 means the typical Akron household earns well above the income needed to purchase the median home. That income-to-price alignment supports long-term home price stability.

Who Lives in Akron

The Akron metro population was 699,508 as of 2023 Census data. Median household income was $71,312. Median age is 40.8. The homeownership rate is 67.92%, above the national average, indicating a population that has historically prioritized ownership.

Unemployment was 4.1% as of November 2025. Akron's economy has diversified significantly from its historical rubber and manufacturing base. Major employers now include Summa Health, Akron Children's Hospital, the University of Akron, and a growing polymer science and advanced materials research sector. The economic base is more resilient than its industrial history might suggest.

New construction sales were just 7 units in November 2025, one of the lowest new construction figures in this market set. New supply is essentially negligible in Akron, which reinforces the supply constraints that support the high PropertyIQ Score.

Akron Versus Dayton: The Ohio Comparison

Both Akron and Dayton are mid-size Ohio metros, but they score very differently. Akron at 88 versus Dayton at 69 reflects a meaningful demand and supply gap. Akron has a tighter market (812 listings versus 1,188), a higher demand score (92 versus 82), and a lower inventory growth rate (2.6% versus 19.2%).

Akron is also undervalued while Dayton trades near fair value. The income-to-buy threshold in Akron is $59,804 versus $64,934 in Dayton, despite nearly identical median home prices. Akron residents have a higher median income relative to local home prices, which supports both demand and upward price pressure.

For an Ohio investor choosing between the two, Akron's combination of score, undervaluation, and supply constraint makes a stronger fundamental case.

What Buyers and Investors Should Know

For homebuyers: Akron is competitive. The demand score of 92 and sale-to-list ratio of 100% mean you should expect to offer at asking price on well-positioned homes. Days on market at 54 is reasonable but not leisurely. The affordability is genuine: a $225K median and income threshold of $59,804 make Akron accessible to households earning $60K or more.

For investors: The undervaluation signal combined with a 92 demand score and 46.25% five-year appreciation is a compelling combination. New construction at 7 units per month means supply-side competition is minimal. The rent index of $1,232/month against a $228K entry price supports cash flow modeling. Akron is one of the most data-supported investment markets in Ohio.

The Bottom Line

The Akron, Ohio real estate market scores 88 out of 100 on the PropertyIQ Score as of February 28, 2026. The market is undervalued by 9.7%. Demand sits at 92 out of 100. Homes sell at full asking price in 54 days. Five-year appreciation has been 46.25%, the strongest of any market in this analysis.

For buyers who want Ohio exposure at a compelling price point, and for investors looking for the combination of high score and undervaluation, Akron stands out as one of the most interesting markets in the Midwest.

Explore the Akron PropertyIQ Score and compare it to every Ohio market at propertyiq.app. Free to use, updated monthly.