Akron vs Baltimore
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Akron
Baltimore
💡 The Verdict
Akron is 24% cheaper than Baltimore overall. A $75,000 salary in Akron is equivalent to $98,148 in Baltimore.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Akron (left) vs Baltimore (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Akron versus Baltimore. Differences shown from Akron perspective.
| Item | Akron | Baltimore | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $790/mo | $950/mo | $-160.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,180/mo | $1,300/mo | $-120.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,550/mo | $1,680/mo | $-130.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.26 | $2.66 | $-0.40 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.19 | $3.93 | $-0.74 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.05 | $3.43 | $-1.38 |
| Coffee (latte) | $4.79 | $5.60 | $-0.81 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.05 | $3.42 | $-0.37 |
| Restaurant Meal | $13.96 | $17.54 | $-3.58 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $98,148 in Baltimore.
Conversely, $75,000 in Baltimore equals $57,311 in Akron.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $1125 difference is driven by Maryland having a higher state income tax rate. Ohio details → · Maryland details →
Reading These Numbers: Akron (81) vs Baltimore (106)
Akron at 81 is 19% below the US average, while Baltimore at 106 is 6% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Akron, the composite index of 81 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 84, followed by groceries (79), utilities (73), transportation (80), and healthcare (81). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,180/mo in Akron and $1,300/mo in Baltimore, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,440.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $7,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $64,000.0 difference in median home prices between Akron and Baltimore translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Akron vs Baltimore
Choosing between Akron and Baltimore involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Akron against Baltimore, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.