City Comparison

Akron vs Fishers

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

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

Fishers

Indiana
106
Above Average
$391,000
Median Home
$1,475/mo
Median Rent
$130,200
Median Income

The Verdict

23.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 23.6%, with Akron being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to $98,148 in Fishers.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
60
Akron
120
Fishers
Groceries
106
Akron
99
Fishers
Utilities
80
Akron
100
Fishers
Transportation
85
Akron
102
Fishers
Healthcare
88
Akron
99
Fishers

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $98,148 in Fishers.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fishers equals $57,311 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Fishers

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Fishers's 120, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $391,000. The $245,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,924 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,475/mo in Fishers, a monthly difference of $600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 99 in Fishers. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $470/month in Fishers. Fishers offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 100 in Fishers. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $400 in Fishers. 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 99 in Fishers. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $130,200 in Fishers. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $122,830 respectively. Fishers 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 $3,038/month in Fishers. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Fishers, median rent of $1,475/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Akron is 23.6% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $98,148 in Fishers, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Fishers's is 120 with median homes at $391,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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