Low competition at $16/sqft rents means Akron can support concepts that would struggle in pricier metros.
Best Business Location in Akron
Akron offers 703,000 metro customers, $46,000 average income, and moderate commercial activity—ideal conditions for data-led site selection.
Market size: 0.7M consumers. Household income: $46,000.
Find the Best Location in Akron
Our location intelligence platform analyzes Akron's commercial landscape. Explore the map to identify high-potential streets with demand-supply gaps.
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Akron, United States
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Akron Business Environment
Market Insights
- Market size: 0.7M consumers. Household income: $46,000.
- Commercial space at $16/sqft; local earnings at $46K. Ratio: 2.4x.
- At 64/100 foot traffic and $16/sqft rent, optimize for the right exposure.
- A 703,000-person metro with 64/100 pedestrian activity.
- Moderate growth trajectory. Low saturation level.
- $16/sqft commercial rent. Cost advantage for emerging concepts.
- Polymers/Healthcare employers dominate. $46,000 income benchmark.
- Located in Ohio, United States with USD currency
Top Industries
From Data to Location: Akron
Tap into Akron's 0.7M consumers earning $46K—we'll show you exactly where they shop.
Akron Neighborhood Analysis
Discover the best neighborhoods for your business type in Akron
Akron offers a mix of commercial settings including the central business district, neighborhood retail corridors, and emerging development areas—each with unique rent-to-traffic dynamics
In Akron, balancing rent costs with customer accessibility is critical—many thriving businesses find sweet spots in secondary corridors near major thoroughfares
Extended metro area provides 3.7x population reach beyond city limits, supporting suburban expansion strategies
Downtown/City Center
- • Highest foot traffic density
- • Premium rental costs
- • Best for retail & restaurants
- • Excellent public transport access
Business Districts
- • High concentration of offices
- • Ideal for B2B services
- • Strong weekday traffic
- • Growing food & beverage demand
Suburban Areas
- • Lower rental costs
- • Family-oriented demographics
- • Ample parking availability
- • Good for service businesses
Emerging Areas
- • High growth potential
- • Lower competition density
- • Opportunity for early movers
- • Rising property values
Akron Business Readiness Score
Data-driven viability assessment
Best Business Types for Akron
Find location-specific insights for different business types in Akron
Restaurant in Akron
Analyze foot traffic patterns, demographics, and competition for restaurants
Retail Store in Akron
Find high-traffic retail locations with ideal customer demographics
Coffee Shop in Akron
Locate areas with morning traffic and office worker density
Industry Synergy Opportunities in Akron
Top industries creating demand for specific business types
Healthcare
Healthcare clusters attract patients and create medical service demand
Best Business Types:
Education
Students and faculty drive consistent demand for affordable services
Best Business Types:
Cost of Operations in Akron
Financial breakdown for a 1,500 sq ft location
Startup Investment
Monthly Operating
Cost Insights
Akron Market Entry Timing
Data-driven signals for optimal business launch timing
Current conditions in Akron favor waiting over rushing. Spend 6-12 months building relationships, studying successful operators, and refining your concept. Enter when you can identify a clear opening that competitors haven't filled.
Entry Timing Factors
Akron Insights That Guide Expansion
Each metric is generated for this city so every page tells a different story about demand, rents, and timing.
900 sq ft of space at $16/sq ft loads 3.8x the average salary onto COGS, keeping efficiency front and center.
Pedestrian flow posts 64/100 (19% below the mean), guiding how much budget you reserve for paid acquisition.
The metro catchment is 3.7x larger than city limits (703,000 vs 190,000), opening suburban roll-out paths once the core site is stable.
Akron's economy leans on Polymers, Healthcare, Manufacturing, so co-marketing with those clusters accelerates adoption.
Frequently Asked Questions About Akron
Answers refresh based on Akron's live data so there's no duplicate copy across cities.
How far can I scale within the Akron metro?
The metro area pulls 3.7x the population of city proper, so once the flagship location performs you can replicate into surrounding districts without leaving the DMA.
How crowded is the Akron market?
Akron's low competition means you're competing for share in a market of 703,000. Focus on customer retention from day one.
What growth trajectory is Akron on?
Akron carries a moderate growth potential rating, which shapes whether you sprint into multi-unit rollout or pace hiring.
How expensive is retail space relative to incomes in Akron?
A 900-sq-ft footprint at $16/sq ft runs roughly 3.8x the local average income ($46,000). Layer in menu engineering or ticket-size plays to offset the rent load.
Can I rely on organic foot traffic in Akron?
Yes—pedestrian flow scores 64/100, about 19% below the cross-market average, so plan signage and staffing around steady discovery.
Data Sources & Methodology
Our analysis combines multiple authoritative data sources
Economic Data
- World Bank Open Data
- International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- National Census Bureaus
Business Intelligence
- Ease of Doing Business Index
- Global Innovation Index
- Industry Association Reports
Demographics
- UN Population Division
- Municipal Open Data Portals
- Consumer Expenditure Surveys
Real Estate
- Commercial Real Estate Listings
- CoStar Market Analytics
- Local Zoning Databases
Methodology Note: Our opportunity scores are calculated using a weighted algorithm that considers population density, income levels, competition saturation, commercial rent costs, and industry-specific success factors. Data is refreshed quarterly from authoritative sources. Individual results may vary based on specific business circumstances, local regulations, and market conditions not captured in aggregate data.
Ready to Launch in Akron?
Turn our 56 readiness score and timing signals into a shortlist of proven sites before competitors react.