Akron vs Cleveland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Cleveland
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 6.9%, with Akron being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to $80,556 in Cleveland.
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 $80,556 in Cleveland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Cleveland equals $69,828 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Cleveland
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is higher Cleveland's 59, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $100,000. The $46,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,988 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $900/mo in Cleveland, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 99 in Cleveland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $470/month in Cleveland. Cleveland 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 96 in Cleveland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $384 in Cleveland. 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 96 in Cleveland. 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 $32,053 in Cleveland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $36,843 respectively. Akron residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,132/month to housing in Akron vs $748/month in Cleveland. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Cleveland, median rent of $900/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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