Akron vs Morgantown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Morgantown
The Verdict
Living in Akron costs 10.0% less than Morgantown. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Akron, you would need $83,333 in Morgantown.
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 $83,333 in Morgantown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Morgantown equals $67,500 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Morgantown
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Morgantown's 81, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $259,000. The $113,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,344 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $950/mo in Morgantown, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 95 in Morgantown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $451/month in Morgantown. Morgantown 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 91 in Morgantown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $364 in Morgantown. 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 88 in Morgantown. 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 $44,700 in Morgantown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $49,667 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 $1,043/month in Morgantown. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Morgantown, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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