Akron vs Youngstown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Youngstown
The Verdict
Akron is 1.2% less expensive than Youngstown overall. A household earning $75,000 in Akron would need approximately $75,926 in Youngstown 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 $75,926 in Youngstown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $74,085 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Youngstown
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $102,000. The $44,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $466/month in Youngstown. Youngstown 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 96 in Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $384 in Youngstown. 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 90 in Youngstown. 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 $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $42,195 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 $807/month in Youngstown. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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