City Comparison

Akron vs Colorado Springs

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

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

Colorado Springs

Colorado
105
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$64,712
Median Income

The Verdict

22.9%

Living in Akron costs 22.9% less than Colorado Springs. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Akron, you would need $97,222 in Colorado Springs.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
60
Akron
115
Colorado Springs
Groceries
106
Akron
100
Colorado Springs
Utilities
80
Akron
93
Colorado Springs
Transportation
85
Akron
101
Colorado Springs
Healthcare
88
Akron
104
Colorado Springs

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $97,222 in Colorado Springs.

Conversely, $75,000 in Colorado Springs equals $57,857 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Colorado Springs

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Colorado Springs's 115, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $380,000. The $234,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,216 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,500/mo in Colorado Springs, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 100 in Colorado Springs. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $475/month in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 93 in Colorado Springs. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $372 in Colorado Springs. 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 104 in Colorado Springs. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $64,712 in Colorado Springs. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $61,630 respectively. Colorado Springs 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 $1,510/month in Colorado Springs. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Colorado Springs, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. 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

Akron is 22.9% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $97,222 in Colorado Springs, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Colorado Springs's is 115 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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