City Comparison

Akron vs Johnson City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

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

Johnson City

Tennessee
85
Very Affordable
$276,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$55,400
Median Income

The Verdict

4.7%

Living in Akron costs 4.7% less than Johnson City. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Akron, you would need $78,704 in Johnson City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
60
Akron
66
Johnson City
Groceries
106
Akron
95
Johnson City
Utilities
80
Akron
95
Johnson City
Transportation
85
Akron
88
Johnson City
Healthcare
88
Akron
94
Johnson City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $78,704 in Johnson City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Johnson City equals $71,471 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Johnson City

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Johnson City's 66, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $276,000. The $130,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,448 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,025/mo in Johnson City, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 95 in Johnson City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $451/month in Johnson City. Johnson City 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 95 in Johnson City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $380 in Johnson City. 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 94 in Johnson City. 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 $55,400 in Johnson City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $65,176 respectively. Johnson City 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 $1,293/month in Johnson City. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Akron is 4.7% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 85.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,704 in Johnson City, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Johnson City's is 66 with median homes at $276,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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