City Comparison

Akron vs Evansville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

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

Evansville

Indiana
80
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$850/mo
Median Rent
$48,600
Median Income

The Verdict

1.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 1.3%, with Evansville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to $74,074 in Evansville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
60
Akron
55
Evansville
Groceries
106
Akron
95
Evansville
Utilities
80
Akron
105
Evansville
Transportation
85
Akron
98
Evansville
Healthcare
88
Akron
105
Evansville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $74,074 in Evansville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Evansville equals $75,938 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Evansville

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is higher Evansville's 55, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $170,000. The $24,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,560 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $850/mo in Evansville, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 95 in Evansville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $451/month in Evansville. Evansville 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 105 in Evansville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $420 in Evansville. 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 105 in Evansville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $48,600 in Evansville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $60,750 respectively. Evansville 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 $1,134/month in Evansville. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Evansville, median rent of $850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Evansville is 1.3% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 81.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,074 in Evansville, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Evansville's is 55 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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