City Comparison

Akron vs Overland Park

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

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

Overland Park

Kansas
106
Above Average
$414,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$104,800
Median Income

The Verdict

23.6%

Living in Akron costs 23.6% less than Overland Park. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Akron, you would need $98,148 in Overland Park.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
60
Akron
109
Overland Park
Groceries
106
Akron
96
Overland Park
Utilities
80
Akron
98
Overland Park
Transportation
85
Akron
95
Overland Park
Healthcare
88
Akron
102
Overland Park

Salary Equivalence

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

Conversely, $75,000 in Overland Park equals $57,311 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Overland Park

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Overland Park's 109, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $414,000. The $268,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,424 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,450/mo in Overland Park, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 96 in Overland Park. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $456/month in Overland Park. Overland Park 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 98 in Overland Park. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $392 in Overland Park. 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 102 in Overland Park. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $104,800 in Overland Park. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $98,868 respectively. Overland Park 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 $2,445/month in Overland Park. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Overland Park, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 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 Overland Park, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Overland Park's is 109 with median homes at $414,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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