Akron vs Clearwater
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Clearwater
The Verdict
Akron is 21.4% less expensive than Clearwater overall. A household earning $75,000 in Akron would need approximately $95,370 in Clearwater 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 $95,370 in Clearwater.
Conversely, $75,000 in Clearwater equals $58,981 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Clearwater
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Clearwater's 115, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $385,000. The $239,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,540 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,625/mo in Clearwater, a monthly difference of $750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 102 in Clearwater. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $485/month in Clearwater. 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 101 in Clearwater. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $404 in Clearwater. 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 92 in Clearwater. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $48,500 in Akron and $66,400 in Clearwater. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $64,466 respectively. Clearwater 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 $1,549/month in Clearwater. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Clearwater, median rent of $1,625/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 55 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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