Akron vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Springfield
The Verdict
Living in Springfield costs 3.8% less than Akron. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Akron, you would need $72,222 in Springfield.
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 $72,222 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $77,885 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $162,000. The $16,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,044 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $466/month in Springfield. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $392 in Springfield. 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 91 in Springfield. 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 $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $83,974 respectively. Springfield 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 $1,528/month in Springfield. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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