😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,659 in Austin, TX versus $2,334 in Akron, OH.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,101 in Austin, TX versus $3,428 in Akron, OH.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,542 in Austin, TX versus $4,521 in Akron, OH.
😐Living in Austin, TX is roughly 14% more expensive than Akron, OH, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Austin, TX98% above, Akron, OH74% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Akron, OH
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.63$19.63
$16.24$16.24
20.87%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.1$75.1
$54.4$54.4
38.00%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.92$9.92
$9.97$9.97
-0.50%
Cappuccino
$5.67$5.67
$3.60$3.60
57.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.77$2.77
$2.39$2.39
15.90%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17$2.17
$1.73$1.73
25.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.84$5.84
$5.08$5.08
14.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.77$7.77
$5.47$5.47
42.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Akron, OH
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09$1.09
$1.06$1.06
2.83%
White Bread(500g)
$3.41$3.41
$2.70$2.70
26.30%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.43$3.43
$7.01$7.01
-51.07%
Eggs
$4.39$4.39
$4.68$4.68
-6.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.95$11.95
$15.45$15.45
-22.65%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.76$10.76
$11.89$11.89
-9.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.29$14.29
$19.24$19.24
-25.73%
Apples(1kg)
$4.84$4.84
$7.66$7.66
-36.81%
Banana(1kg)
$1.55$1.55
$1.61$1.61
-3.73%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.46$4.46
$10.15$10.15
-56.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.91$3.91
$6.41$6.41
-39.00%
Potato(1kg)
$2.74$2.74
$2.13$2.13
28.64%
Onion(1kg)
$2.74$2.74
$3.41$3.41
-19.65%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.04$2.04
$2.35$2.35
-13.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.25$2.25
$1.87$1.87
20.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.93$8.93
$9.13$9.13
-2.19%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.85$14.85
$14.78$14.78
0.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35$2.35
$1.76$1.76
33.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.57$3.57
$3.81$3.81
-6.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Akron, OH
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.47$1.47
$1.28$1.28
14.84%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$42.98$42.98
$49.02$49.02
-12.32%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.28$4.28
$4.92$4.92
-13.01%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.84$1.84
$1.57$1.57
17.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$35.54$35.54
$29.03$29.03
22.43%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.72$0.72
$0.80$0.80
-10.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.7K$25.7K
$25.2K$25.2K
1.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K$26.2K
$28.1K$28.1K
-6.96%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Akron, OH
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$174$174
$280$280
-37.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$60.2$60.2
$41.34$41.34
45.72%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.3$66.3
$82.3$82.3
-19.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Akron, OH
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$62.8$62.8
$43.13$43.13
45.49%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.83$9.83
$17.60$17.60
-44.15%
Cinema Ticket
$15.24$15.24
$12.11$12.11
25.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Akron, OH
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,387$1,387
$1,337$1,337
3.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$22.2K$22.2K
$12.5K$12.5K
77.87%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Akron, OH
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.7$56.7
$46.25$46.25
22.66%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.34$45.34
$63.6$63.6
-28.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.5$86.5
$87.1$87.1
-0.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119$119
$125$125
-4.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Akron, OH
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,247$2,247
$964$964
133.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,430$1,430
$921$921
55.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,778$3,778
$1,281$1,281
194.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,641$2,641
$1,593$1,593
65.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,044$7,044
$1,564$1,564
350.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,162$3,162
$1,501$1,501
110.68%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Akron, OH
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$5,108$5,108
$3,330$3,330
53.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.45
6.38
1.10%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Austin, TX: May 31, 2026
Last update for Akron, OH: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,247 in Austin, TX and $964 in Akron, OH. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Austin, TX pays 53% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $75.0 in Austin, TX vs $54.0 in Akron, OH. Groceries flip the comparison at $377 vs $460, with Austin, TX cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Austin, TX vs Akron, OH: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Austin, TX and Akron, OH?
Austin, TX and Akron, OH differ by about 14% in total monthly costs ($2,659 vs $2,334 including rent). Akron, OH is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Austin, TX or Akron, OH?
Austin, TX pays 53% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Austin, TX and Akron, OH?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,247 in Austin, TX versus $964 in Akron, OH. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Austin, TX or Akron, OH?
All in, you'll spend $2,659 per month in Austin, TX versus $2,334 in Akron, OH – a 14% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Austin, TX and Akron, OH?
A monthly transit pass in Akron, OH runs roughly 14% less than in Austin, TX. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,334 in Akron, OH versus $2,659 in Austin, TX, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Akron, OH but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Akron, OH the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Austin, TX and Akron, OH?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Austin, TX or Akron, OH?
Expats usually find Akron, OH gentler on the wallet – expenses run 14% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Austin, TX vs other spots: cost of living compared