City Comparison

Akron vs Dublin

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

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

Dublin

Ireland
104
Average
$470,000
Median Home
$2,125/mo
Median Rent
$56,000
Median Income

The Verdict

22.1%

Akron is 22.1% less expensive than Dublin overall. A household earning $75,000 in Akron would need approximately $96,296 in Dublin to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
60
Akron
128
Dublin
Groceries
106
Akron
95
Dublin
Utilities
80
Akron
110
Dublin
Transportation
85
Akron
108
Dublin
Healthcare
88
Akron
82
Dublin

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $96,296 in Dublin.

Conversely, $75,000 in Dublin equals $58,413 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Dublin

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Dublin's 128, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $470,000. The $324,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,060 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $2,125/mo in Dublin, a monthly difference of $1,250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 95 in Dublin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $451/month in Dublin. Dublin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $636/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 110 in Dublin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $440 in Dublin. 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 82 in Dublin. 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 $56,000 in Dublin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $53,846 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 $1,307/month in Dublin. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 68 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Akron is 22.1% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $96,296 in Dublin, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Dublin's is 128 with median homes at $470,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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