Akron vs Memphis
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Akron
Memphis
💡 The Verdict
Akron is 4% cheaper than Memphis overall. A $75,000 salary in Akron is equivalent to $77,778 in Memphis.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Akron (left) vs Memphis (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Akron versus Memphis. Differences shown from Akron perspective.
| Item | Akron | Memphis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $790/mo | $720/mo | +$70.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,180/mo | $1,000/mo | +$180.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,550/mo | $1,300/mo | +$250.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.26 | $2.40 | $-0.14 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.19 | $3.74 | $-0.55 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.05 | $3.05 | $-1.00 |
| Coffee (latte) | $4.79 | $5.47 | $-0.68 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.05 | $3.29 | $-0.24 |
| Restaurant Meal | $13.96 | $13.90 | +$0.06 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $77,778 in Memphis.
Conversely, $75,000 in Memphis equals $72,321 in Akron.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $2626 difference is driven by Ohio having a higher state income tax rate. Ohio details → · Tennessee details →
Reading These Numbers: Akron (81) vs Memphis (84)
Akron at 81 is 19% below the US average, while Memphis at 84 is 16% below average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Akron, the composite index of 81 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 84, followed by groceries (79), utilities (73), transportation (80), and healthcare (81). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,180/mo in Akron and $1,000/mo in Memphis, the annual rent difference is approximately $2,160.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $10,800.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $109,000.0 difference in median home prices between Akron and Memphis translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Akron vs Memphis
Choosing between Akron and Memphis involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
The cost gap between Akron and Memphis reflects thousands of individual pricing differences across housing markets, grocery chains, utility providers, and healthcare networks. No two households experience the same effective cost of living even in the same city, which is why the category breakdown matters more than the headline number. Adjust the lifestyle weighting sliders above to see how your spending priorities shift the comparison between these specific metros.