Median rent is 44% lower in Akron ($930/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in Akron, where the median home runs $111,200 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Austin ($91,461 vs $48,544 a year).
City A
Akron, OH
City B
Austin, TX
How much would you need to earn in Austin, TX to maintain your standard of living from Akron, OH?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Akron
Ohio
Austin
Texas
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Akron — median rent of $930/mo versus $1,655/mo in Austin, a 44% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $111,200 in Akron — 78% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Ohio tops out at 3.50% — giving Austin a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 5.75% in Ohio and 6.25% in Texas; Akron has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Akron
Income tax: 3.50%
Sales tax: 5.75%
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Akron has cleaner air on average: 19.0 AQI (Good) compared to 47.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,461/yr).
Pick Akron if you prioritize cheaper rent ($930/mo median).
Pick Akron if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 19.0).
Pick Austin if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Akron cheaper than Austin?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Akron vs Austin?
Median rent is $930/mo in Akron, OH and $1,655/mo in Austin, TX. Akron, OH has the lower rent by about 44%.
Which has higher salaries — Akron or Austin?
Median household income is $48,544 in Akron, OH and $91,461 in Austin, TX. Austin, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Akron, OH has better air quality on average: 19.0 AQI versus 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Akron or Austin?
Texas has no state income tax. Ohio has a top rate of 3.50%.
What salary do I need in Austin to match my Akron income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology