Akron vs Little Rock
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Little Rock
The Verdict
Living in Akron costs 3.6% less than Little Rock. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Akron, you would need $77,778 in Little Rock.
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 $77,778 in Little Rock.
Conversely, $75,000 in Little Rock equals $72,321 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Little Rock
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Little Rock's 62, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $170,000. The $24,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,560 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $950/mo in Little Rock, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 94 in Little Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $447/month in Little Rock. Little Rock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 88 in Little Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $352 in Little Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Akron and 90 in Little Rock. 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 $47,638 in Little Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $56,712 respectively. Akron residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,132/month to housing in Akron vs $1,112/month in Little Rock. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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