Akron vs Topeka
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Topeka
The Verdict
Akron is 2.4% less expensive than Topeka overall. A household earning $75,000 in Akron would need approximately $76,852 in Topeka 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 $76,852 in Topeka.
Conversely, $75,000 in Topeka equals $73,193 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Topeka
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is higher Topeka's 55, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $175,000. The $29,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,884 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $900/mo in Topeka, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 98 in Topeka. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $466/month in Topeka. Topeka 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 97 in Topeka. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $388 in Topeka. 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 96 in Topeka. 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 $55,500 in Topeka. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $66,867 respectively. Topeka 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 $1,295/month in Topeka. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Topeka, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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