Akron vs Bismarck
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Bismarck
The Verdict
Akron is 14.7% less expensive than Bismarck overall. A household earning $75,000 in Akron would need approximately $87,963 in Bismarck to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $87,963 in Bismarck.
Conversely, $75,000 in Bismarck equals $63,947 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Bismarck
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Bismarck's 90, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $348,000. The $202,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,128 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,100/mo in Bismarck, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 99 in Bismarck. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $470/month in Bismarck. Bismarck offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 82 in Bismarck. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $328 in Bismarck. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Akron and 103 in Bismarck. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $77,600 in Bismarck. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $81,684 respectively. Bismarck 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 $1,811/month in Bismarck. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases