City Comparison

Akron vs Bellevue

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

Ohio
81
Very Affordable
$146,000
Median Home
$875/mo
Median Rent
$48,500
Median Income

Bellevue

Washington
158
Very Expensive
$1.3M
Median Home
$2,525/mo
Median Rent
$169,200
Median Income

The Verdict

48.7%

Living in Akron costs 48.7% less than Bellevue. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Akron, you would need $146,296 in Bellevue.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
60
Akron
249
Bellevue
Groceries
106
Akron
111
Bellevue
Utilities
80
Akron
100
Bellevue
Transportation
85
Akron
134
Bellevue
Healthcare
88
Akron
120
Bellevue

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $146,296 in Bellevue.

Conversely, $75,000 in Bellevue equals $38,449 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Bellevue

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Bellevue's 249, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $1.3M. The $1.2M difference in home prices means roughly $75,072 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $2,525/mo in Bellevue, a monthly difference of $1,650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 111 in Bellevue. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $527/month in Bellevue. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 100 in Bellevue. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $400 in Bellevue. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Akron and 120 in Bellevue. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 32-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,500 in Akron and $169,200 in Bellevue. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $107,089 respectively. Bellevue residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,132/month to housing in Akron vs $3,948/month in Bellevue. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 189 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Akron is 48.7% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $146,296 in Bellevue, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Bellevue's is 249 with median homes at $1.3M.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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