City Comparison

Akron vs Fayetteville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

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

Fayetteville

Arkansas
90
Below Average
$332,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$59,100
Median Income

The Verdict

10.0%

Living in Akron costs 10.0% less than Fayetteville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Akron, you would need $83,333 in Fayetteville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
60
Akron
94
Fayetteville
Groceries
106
Akron
92
Fayetteville
Utilities
80
Akron
98
Fayetteville
Transportation
85
Akron
95
Fayetteville
Healthcare
88
Akron
78
Fayetteville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $83,333 in Fayetteville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fayetteville equals $67,500 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Fayetteville

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Fayetteville's 94, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $332,000. The $186,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,096 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,025/mo in Fayetteville, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 92 in Fayetteville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $437/month in Fayetteville. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $804/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 98 in Fayetteville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $392 in Fayetteville. 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 78 in Fayetteville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $59,100 in Fayetteville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $65,667 respectively. Fayetteville 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 $1,379/month in Fayetteville. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Akron is 10.0% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,333 in Fayetteville, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Fayetteville's is 94 with median homes at $332,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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