Akron vs Brooklyn
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Brooklyn
The Verdict
Akron is 58.5% less expensive than Brooklyn overall. A household earning $75,000 in Akron would need approximately $180,556 in Brooklyn 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 $180,556 in Brooklyn.
Conversely, $75,000 in Brooklyn equals $31,154 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Brooklyn
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Brooklyn's 325, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $780,000. The $634,000 difference in home prices means roughly $41,208 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $2,900/mo in Brooklyn, a monthly difference of $2,025.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 108 in Brooklyn. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $513/month in Brooklyn. 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 135 in Brooklyn. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $540 in Brooklyn. 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 108 in Brooklyn. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $65,294 in Brooklyn. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $33,484 respectively. Akron residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,132/month to housing in Akron vs $1,524/month in Brooklyn. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Brooklyn, median rent of $2,900/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 265 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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