Akron vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Surprise
The Verdict
Akron is 21.4% less expensive than Surprise overall. A household earning $75,000 in Akron would need approximately $95,370 in Surprise 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 $95,370 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $58,981 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $419,000. The $273,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,748 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $700.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $475/month in Surprise. Surprise offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $408 in Surprise. 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 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 45 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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