City Comparison

Akron vs Santa Fe

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

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

Santa Fe

New Mexico
117
Above Average
$480,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$61,982
Median Income

The Verdict

30.8%

Living in Akron costs 30.8% less than Santa Fe. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Akron, you would need $108,333 in Santa Fe.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
60
Akron
153
Santa Fe
Groceries
106
Akron
103
Santa Fe
Utilities
80
Akron
96
Santa Fe
Transportation
85
Akron
99
Santa Fe
Healthcare
88
Akron
95
Santa Fe

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $108,333 in Santa Fe.

Conversely, $75,000 in Santa Fe equals $51,923 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Santa Fe

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Santa Fe's 153, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $480,000. The $334,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,708 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,600/mo in Santa Fe, a monthly difference of $725.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 103 in Santa Fe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $489/month in Santa Fe. 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 96 in Santa Fe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $384 in Santa Fe. 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 95 in Santa Fe. 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 $61,982 in Santa Fe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $52,976 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 $1,446/month in Santa Fe. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Santa Fe, 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 93 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Akron is 30.8% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $108,333 in Santa Fe, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Santa Fe's is 153 with median homes at $480,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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