City Comparison

Akron vs St Cloud

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

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

St Cloud

Minnesota
90
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$60,200
Median Income

The Verdict

10.0%

Living in Akron costs 10.0% less than St Cloud. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Akron, you would need $83,333 in St Cloud.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
60
Akron
82
St Cloud
Groceries
106
Akron
101
St Cloud
Utilities
80
Akron
95
St Cloud
Transportation
85
Akron
99
St Cloud
Healthcare
88
Akron
100
St Cloud

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $83,333 in St Cloud.

Conversely, $75,000 in St Cloud equals $67,500 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs St Cloud

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is lower St Cloud's 82, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $250,000. The $104,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,000/mo in St Cloud, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 101 in St Cloud. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $480/month in St Cloud. 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 95 in St Cloud. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $380 in St Cloud. 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 100 in St Cloud. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $60,200 in St Cloud. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $66,889 respectively. St Cloud 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 $1,405/month in St Cloud. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In St Cloud, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Akron is 10.0% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,333 in St Cloud, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while St Cloud's is 82 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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