Akron vs Lexington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Lexington
The Verdict
Living in Akron costs 12.9% less than Lexington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Akron, you would need $86,111 in Lexington.
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 $86,111 in Lexington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lexington equals $65,323 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Lexington
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Lexington's 82, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $245,000. The $99,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,432 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,200/mo in Lexington, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 96 in Lexington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $456/month in Lexington. Lexington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 91 in Lexington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $364 in Lexington. 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 Lexington. 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 $55,648 in Lexington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $59,837 respectively. Akron residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,132/month to housing in Akron vs $1,298/month in Lexington. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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