Akron vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Peoria
The Verdict
Peoria is 6.6% less expensive than Akron overall. A household earning $75,000 in Akron would need approximately $70,370 in Peoria to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $70,370 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $79,934 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $164,000. The $18,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,176 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $461/month in Peoria. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $412 in Peoria. 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 107 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $77,237 respectively. Peoria 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 $1,370/month in Peoria. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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