Skyline of Akron
Cost of Living: 88.5 190,469

Akron, OH, US

Rubber City with cheap housing, minor league baseball, and a revitalizing downtown.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 88.5

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 68.5

Affordable

Median Income $40,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.0%

Job market health

Akron vs US Average

Cost of Living
Akron: 88.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Akron: 68.5
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Akron: 3.99%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 4.0%
  • Sales Tax: 7.5%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $40,000
  • Unemployment: 4.0%
  • Population: 190,469

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 166/year
  • Summer High: 83°F
  • Winter Low: 20°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: $135,000
  • 1BR Rent: $950/mo

Cost of Living

Akron's cost of living index is 88.5 (US average = 100).

CategoryAkronNational AverageDifference
Overall88.5100-11.5%
Housing68.5100-31.5%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$135,000
Median Rent (1BR)$950/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,188/mo
Price per Sq Ft$90

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Akron:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$105Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$97Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$50Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$55Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities$307Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Akron scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
88.5
Rent
$950
Sunny Days
166
Tax
3.99%
Unemployment
4.0%
Climate
83°F / 20°F
Safety
12.8 homicides/100k
Population
190,469
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Akron has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January40°F20°F2.5"
April68°F35°F2.8"
July83°F58°F1.5"
October63°F38°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Akron faces the following natural hazards:

Tornado High Risk

Tornado Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Flood High Risk

River flooding.

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 3.99%
  • Sales Tax: 7.5%
  • Property Tax: ~1.62% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 4.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Akron per 100,000 residents:

820.3
Violent Crime
2,955.0
Property Crime
12.8
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

87/100
School Quality Score
Better than 98% of US cities
?
71
Total Schools
1.1:1
Student:Teacher
86.6%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1001
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University University of Akron

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Akron, OH, US?

The cost of living index in Akron is 88.5, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Akron?

The median home price in Akron is $135,000. The housing index is 68.5.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Akron is approximately $950/mo.

Does Akron, OH have income tax?

Akron is in OH, which has an income tax rate of 3.99%.

What is the climate like in Akron?

Akron enjoys approximately 166 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 83°F, while winter lows can drop to around 20°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.