City Comparison

Akron vs Minneapolis

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

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

Minneapolis

Minnesota
106
Above Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$64,285
Median Income

The Verdict

23.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 23.6%, with Akron being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to $98,148 in Minneapolis.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
60
Akron
112
Minneapolis
Groceries
106
Akron
104
Minneapolis
Utilities
80
Akron
97
Minneapolis
Transportation
85
Akron
108
Minneapolis
Healthcare
88
Akron
105
Minneapolis

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $98,148 in Minneapolis.

Conversely, $75,000 in Minneapolis equals $57,311 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Minneapolis

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Minneapolis's 112, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $310,000. The $164,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,656 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,500/mo in Minneapolis, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 104 in Minneapolis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $494/month in Minneapolis. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 97 in Minneapolis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $388 in Minneapolis. 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 105 in Minneapolis. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $64,285 in Minneapolis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $60,646 respectively. Minneapolis 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 $1,500/month in Minneapolis. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Minneapolis, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Akron is 23.6% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $98,148 in Minneapolis, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Minneapolis's is 112 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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