CostIndexUSA

Akron, OH vs Boston, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Akron
93.4
overall index
$1,225/mo rent
MA
Boston
108.3
overall index
$3,050/mo rent

Akron is significantly cheaper than Boston — 16.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Akron, you would need $92,800 in Boston. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+93.2%
Akron
76.8
Boston
148.4
🛒 Groceries+6.5%
Akron
93.6
Boston
99.7
🚗 Transportation+4.7%
Akron
103.9
Boston
108.8
🏥 Healthcare+4.7%
Akron
94
Boston
98.4
Utilities+54.4%
Akron
96.4
Boston
148.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Akron to see what you'd need to earn in Boston to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Boston, MA
$92,800
$12,800 more needed in Boston

Formula: salary × (108.3 ÷ 93.4) = salary × 1.1595. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Akron, OH

Median Home Price
$225,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,225
Housing Index
76.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.3×

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$709,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,050
Housing Index
148.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Boston has 93.2% higher housing costs compared to Akron.

Income & Job Market

Akron, OH

Median Household Income
$70,100
Per Capita Income
$40,000
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
190,469
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationTechnologyFinance

Boston, MA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
692,600
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTechnologyBiotechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Akron, OH
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Boston, MA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.