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City Housing Verdict

Akron, OH

Manageable

Your dollar goes further in Akron, OH — everyday costs run about 24% below the national average (Cost Index: 76). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued at $134,376, well under the $303,400 US median. The local median household income of $48,544 tends to stretch further here than in most parts of the country.

Akron looks comparatively manageable for household relocation, with 28% rent burden, 2.8x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 44. Use the assumptions below to test whether your own budget still stays in the safe range.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Safe

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Akron.

Monthly Housing
$950/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
23%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$2,595/mo
After housing and debt · $865/person
Rent vs Buy
Buying can be tested
Main pressure: monthly rent
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: HighHome source: ZILLOWRent source: ZILLOWBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 36%
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Cost Index
76
Affordable
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$134,376
Zillow ZHVI Market Rate • Census ACS: $111,200
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,134/mo
Zillow ZORI Market Rate • Census ACS: $930/mo
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$48,544
National: $78,538
Population
189,526
Purchasing Power
81
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
44 / 100
56% below average
Rent Index
84 / 100
16% below average
Goods & Groceries
94 / 100
6% cheaper than average
Utilities
96 / 100
Typical utility costs
Healthcare & Services
99 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
76
Affordable · 24% below average

Akron Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $134,376 and Ohio's property tax rate of 1.53%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$48,544
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
28%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
2.8x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Akron looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Akron, OH

Est. Annual Property Tax
$2,056
Monthly Impact
$171
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
1.53%
National avg: ~1.00%

Ohio Place Tax Context

Tax TypeOhioNational Avg
Property Tax Rate1.53%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate3.5%~5.0%
State Sales Tax7.24%~5.0%

Compare Akron to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Akron, OH
76
84
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Akron, OH: 44
Rent Prices
84

FAQ: Living in Akron

Is Akron, OH an affordable place to live?+

Yes — everyday expenses in Akron run about 24% below the US average (Cost Index: 76). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $134,376, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $1,134, versus $1,348 nationally.

How does Akron fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,134, while local median household income is $48,544. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 28% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Akron, OH?+

Ohio has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 3.5%. The effective property tax rate is 1.53%. On a home worth $134,376, that translates to roughly $2,056 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 7.24% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Akron, OH?+

The typical monthly rent in Akron is around $1,134. That's roughly 16% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $134,376, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Akron, OH?+

The median home in Akron is valued at $134,376. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $679/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 51% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Akron?+

Grocery prices in Akron are more affordable compared to the rest of the US (index: 94, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are about typical (index: 96). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

What is Akron, OH like to live in?+

Akron is a mid-sized city with a population of about 189,526. The median age of residents is 37.2, which is close to the national median. The local poverty rate is 22.85%, above the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Ohio

If Akron feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Ohio

Use these city pages when you want to compare Akron against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly