Akron vs Salt Lake City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Salt Lake City
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 24.3%, with Akron being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to $99,074 in Salt Lake City.
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 $99,074 in Salt Lake City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Salt Lake City equals $56,776 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Salt Lake City
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Salt Lake City's 120, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $440,000. The $294,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,116 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,500/mo in Salt Lake City, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 99 in Salt Lake City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $470/month in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 88 in Salt Lake City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $352 in Salt Lake City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Akron and 97 in Salt Lake City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $60,590 in Salt Lake City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $56,626 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 $1,414/month in Salt Lake City. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Salt Lake City, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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