City Comparison

Akron vs Rio Rancho

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

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

Rio Rancho

New Mexico
95
Below Average
$337,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$85,800
Median Income

The Verdict

14.7%

Living in Akron costs 14.7% less than Rio Rancho. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Akron, you would need $87,963 in Rio Rancho.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
60
Akron
91
Rio Rancho
Groceries
106
Akron
97
Rio Rancho
Utilities
80
Akron
84
Rio Rancho
Transportation
85
Akron
92
Rio Rancho
Healthcare
88
Akron
99
Rio Rancho

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $87,963 in Rio Rancho.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rio Rancho equals $63,947 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Rio Rancho

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Rio Rancho's 91, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $337,000. The $191,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,400/mo in Rio Rancho, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 97 in Rio Rancho. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $461/month in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho 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 84 in Rio Rancho. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $336 in Rio Rancho. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Akron and 99 in Rio Rancho. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $85,800 in Rio Rancho. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $90,316 respectively. Rio Rancho 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 $2,002/month in Rio Rancho. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Rio Rancho, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Akron is 14.7% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $87,963 in Rio Rancho, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Rio Rancho's is 91 with median homes at $337,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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