Akron vs Columbus
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Columbus
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 3.8%, with Columbus being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to $72,222 in Columbus.
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 $72,222 in Columbus.
Conversely, $75,000 in Columbus equals $77,885 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Columbus
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is higher Columbus's 57, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $222,000. The $76,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,944 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,050/mo in Columbus, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 97 in Columbus. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $461/month in Columbus. Columbus offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 86 in Columbus. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $344 in Columbus. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Akron and 85 in Columbus. 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 $58,100 in Columbus. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $74,487 respectively. Columbus 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 $1,356/month in Columbus. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Columbus, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Groceries, where the gap is 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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