City Comparison

Akron vs Sioux Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

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

Sioux Falls

South Dakota
93
Below Average
$265,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$61,714
Median Income

The Verdict

12.9%

Living in Akron costs 12.9% less than Sioux Falls. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Akron, you would need $86,111 in Sioux Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
60
Akron
80
Sioux Falls
Groceries
106
Akron
97
Sioux Falls
Utilities
80
Akron
94
Sioux Falls
Transportation
85
Akron
98
Sioux Falls
Healthcare
88
Akron
101
Sioux Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $86,111 in Sioux Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux Falls equals $65,323 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Sioux Falls

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Sioux Falls's 80, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $265,000. The $119,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,740 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,100/mo in Sioux Falls, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 97 in Sioux Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $461/month in Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls 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 94 in Sioux Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $376 in Sioux Falls. 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 101 in Sioux Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $61,714 in Sioux Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $66,359 respectively. Sioux Falls 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 $1,440/month in Sioux Falls. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Sioux Falls, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Akron is 12.9% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,111 in Sioux Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Sioux Falls's is 80 with median homes at $265,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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