City Comparison

Akron vs Sao Paulo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

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

Sao Paulo

Brazil
38
Very Affordable
$145,000
Median Home
$475/mo
Median Rent
$11,500
Median Income

The Verdict

113.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 113.2%, with Sao Paulo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to $35,185 in Sao Paulo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
60
Akron
22
Sao Paulo
Groceries
106
Akron
38
Sao Paulo
Utilities
80
Akron
28
Sao Paulo
Transportation
85
Akron
35
Sao Paulo
Healthcare
88
Akron
22
Sao Paulo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $35,185 in Sao Paulo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sao Paulo equals $159,868 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Sao Paulo

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is higher Sao Paulo's 22, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $145,000. The $1,000 difference in home prices means roughly $60 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $475/mo in Sao Paulo, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 38 in Sao Paulo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $181/month in Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $3876/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 28 in Sao Paulo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $112 in Sao Paulo. 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 22 in Sao Paulo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 66-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 $11,500 in Sao Paulo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $30,263 respectively. Akron residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,132/month to housing in Akron vs $268/month in Sao Paulo. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Sao Paulo, median rent of $475/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Groceries, where the gap is 68 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sao Paulo is 113.2% more affordable overall with an index of 38 vs 81.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $35,185 in Sao Paulo, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Sao Paulo's is 22 with median homes at $145,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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