Akron vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Springfield
The Verdict
Akron is 3.6% less expensive than Springfield overall. A household earning $75,000 in Akron would need approximately $77,778 in Springfield to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $77,778 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $72,321 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $225,000. The $79,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,136 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $447/month in Springfield. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $316 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Akron and 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-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 $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $54,762 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 $1,073/month in Springfield. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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