South Akron doesn't always make the highlight reels, but renters who know the area understand something that newcomers often miss: this is one of the most affordable, accessible, and underrated parts of the Greater Akron metro. If you're looking for solid housing at honest prices — without the chaos of a highly competitive urban rental market — South Akron and the Summit Lake area deserve a real look.
This guide covers what life actually looks like here, what renting costs, what to expect from the housing stock, and how to decide whether this neighborhood is the right fit for you.
South Akron sits south of downtown Akron, roughly between the Firestone Park neighborhood to the east, the Kenmore neighborhood to the west, and Coventry Township to the south. Summit Lake — named for the 80-acre lake at its center — is a distinct community within South Akron, bordered roughly by Manchester Road to the south, Wooster Avenue to the north, and Kenmore Boulevard to the west.
Getting here is straightforward. Interstate 76 and I-277 both run nearby, making it easy to reach downtown Akron (8–12 minutes), the University of Akron campus (10–15 minutes), Cuyahoga Valley National Park (15–20 minutes), and Cleveland (40–45 minutes on the Ohio Turnpike).
The lake itself is a legitimate community asset. Summit Lake Park — run by Akron Metro Parks — offers trails, a fishing pier, picnic areas, and open water views that feel genuinely restorative. It's the kind of thing you don't expect to find steps from an affordable rental neighborhood, and it sets South Akron apart from comparable price-point areas in other Ohio cities.
Most of South Akron's housing stock dates from the 1920s through the 1950s. You'll find:
The housing is honest and functional. These aren't renovated Instagram showrooms, but well-maintained South Akron rentals have solid bones, hardwood floors under carpet in many cases, and more square footage per dollar than you'll find in trendier Akron neighborhoods.
What to inspect closely: roof age, furnace and water heater condition, plumbing (older homes may have original supply lines), and basement drainage. Ask your landlord directly about these systems before signing a lease. A responsive landlord who answers clearly is a green flag. One who deflects or minimizes is not.
South Akron is one of the most affordable areas in Summit County.
Current rent ranges (2026):
| Bedroom Count | Typical Monthly Range |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom / studio | $575 – $750 |
| 2 bedrooms | $700 – $950 |
| 3 bedrooms | $850 – $1,150 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,000 – $1,350 |
Utilities are often separate. In older South Akron homes, budget realistically for gas and electric — especially in winter. A 2-bedroom in this area might run $80–$130/month in gas November through March. Ask your landlord what recent utility bills have looked like, and check if the property has updated insulation or windows.
For reference, West Akron/Highland Square 2-bedrooms typically start around $850–$950. South Akron gives you more space at less cost — the tradeoff is a quieter commercial strip and fewer walkable restaurants versus the Highland Square corridor.
South Akron and Summit Lake fall within Akron City Schools, which serves the city of Akron as a whole. Akron City Schools has a robust school choice and magnet system, meaning your child's school isn't simply determined by your street address — you have options.
Magnet and specialty programs available:
Enrollment process: Contact Akron City Schools enrollment office directly (akron-schools.net) to understand application windows for choice programs. Open enrollment periods typically run in winter/spring for the following fall. As a renter, your address determines your base assignment, but choice applications can override that.
Private and parochial options: St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (famous for LeBron James) is in Akron. Several Catholic elementary schools serve the South Akron area. There are also charter school options for families looking for alternatives within Summit County.
By car:
Akron METRO RTA: Akron's bus system serves South Akron with routes running along Manchester Road and Wooster Avenue connecting to downtown. If you work downtown or at the university, METRO RTA makes a car-free or car-lite lifestyle workable. Check akronmetro.org for current route maps and schedules.
Biking: The Akron Innerbelt Trail has expanded significantly and connects to regional routes. South Akron's flat terrain and grid street layout make cycling viable for shorter commutes — though Ohio winter cycling requires commitment.
Summit Lake has a community identity that runs deeper than a ZIP code. The Summit Lake Community Center — a revitalized facility on Ira Avenue — anchors local life with youth programs, fitness facilities, community events, and partnerships with Akron's development organizations. Organizations like the BioInclusive Initiative and community garden projects have brought real investment to the lake's shoreline.
The population here is diverse — a mix of long-term Akron families, working-class households, younger renters looking for affordable space, and people drawn to the lake access. It doesn't have the café-and-boutique scene of Highland Square, but it has something arguably more valuable: actual community.
South Akron is not a nightlife destination, and the main commercial corridors (Manchester, Wooster) are practical rather than trendy. Grocery stores, auto shops, dollar stores, and fast food — functional commercial, not curated retail. For restaurants and bars, Highland Square is 15 minutes away. For major shopping, Summa Towne Centre and the South Akron commercial strip along Killian Road are close.
Crime varies block by block, as it does in most older urban neighborhoods. Do your homework: Akron PD publishes crime maps at akronohio.gov. The blocks closest to Summit Lake Park itself tend to be more stable. Ask current residents, not just online databases, for a real read.
Great fit for:
Worth considering before committing:
Before signing a lease anywhere in South Akron, do these things:
Document the move-in condition. Take photos of every room, every wall, the basement, appliances, and exterior. Send them to your landlord via email within 24 hours of getting keys. This is your legal protection for the security deposit.
Ask about the heating system. Gas forced-air furnaces are common. Ask for the age of the furnace, the water heater, and when the last service was. An older furnace isn't disqualifying, but you deserve to know.
Check the basement. Older Summit County homes often have sump pumps. Ask if there's one, whether it's working, and whether the landlord has had any basement water issues.
Understand what utilities are included. Most South Akron rentals have tenants pay their own gas and electric. Some include water/trash. Confirm this in writing before you sign.
Get your lease terms in writing. Month-to-month versus a fixed term matters for your flexibility and your security. In Ohio, landlords must give 30 days' notice for month-to-month terminations (ORC 5321.17). Fixed-term leases give you stability but less flexibility.
Our property at 93 Oakdale Ave is in West Akron near the Highland Square area — a short drive from South Akron and Summit Lake. Our tenants in that area have easy access to both the commercial energy of Highland Square and the outdoor recreation of Summit Lake Park and the CVNP.
All of our Akron units are currently leased, but we maintain an active waitlist. If you're interested in the Akron market, get in touch or view our current listings.
More Akron and Cleveland neighborhood resources: West Akron and Highland Square guide, Akron vs. Cleveland for renters, and Ohio tenant rights every renter should know.
Browse our available properties or get in touch. We respond fast.
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