Akron vs Reno
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Reno
The Verdict
Living in Akron costs 27.0% less than Reno. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Akron, you would need $102,778 in Reno.
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 $102,778 in Reno.
Conversely, $75,000 in Reno equals $54,730 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Reno
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Reno's 133, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $450,000. The $304,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,764 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,600/mo in Reno, a monthly difference of $725.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 102 in Reno. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $485/month in Reno. 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 93 in Reno. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $372 in Reno. 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 96 in Reno. 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 $61,648 in Reno. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $55,539 respectively. Akron residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,132/month to housing in Akron vs $1,438/month in Reno. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Reno, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 73 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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