CostIndexUSA

Akron, OH vs Grand Rapids, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Akron
93.4
overall index
$1,225/mo rent
MI
Grand Rapids
95.5
overall index
$1,650/mo rent

Akron is slightly cheaper than Grand Rapids — 2.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Akron, you would need $81,800 in Grand Rapids. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+12.8%
Akron
76.8
Grand Rapids
86.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Akron
93.6
Grand Rapids
93.7
🚗 Transportation+0.6%
Akron
103.9
Grand Rapids
104.5
🏥 Healthcare+0.6%
Akron
94
Grand Rapids
94.6
Utilities2.7%
Akron
96.4
Grand Rapids
93.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Grand Rapids, MI
$81,800
$1,800 more needed in Grand Rapids

Formula: salary × (95.5 ÷ 93.4) = salary × 1.0225. 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×

Grand Rapids, MI

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
86.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.1×

Grand Rapids has 12.8% 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

Grand Rapids, MI

Median Household Income
$78,000
Per Capita Income
$44,500
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
198,917
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceEducationTechnology

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)

Grand Rapids, MI
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.