Akron vs Fort Collins
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Fort Collins
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 30.2%, with Akron being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to $107,407 in Fort Collins.
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 $107,407 in Fort Collins.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Collins equals $52,371 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Fort Collins
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Fort Collins's 142, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $531,000. The $385,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,020 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,625/mo in Fort Collins, a monthly difference of $750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 100 in Fort Collins. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $475/month in Fort Collins. Fort Collins offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 87 in Fort Collins. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $348 in Fort Collins. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Akron and 97 in Fort Collins. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $74,800 in Fort Collins. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $64,483 respectively. Fort Collins 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 $1,745/month in Fort Collins. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 82 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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