CostIndexUSA

Akron, OH vs Bellingham, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Akron
93.4
overall index
$1,225/mo rent
WA
Bellingham
103.3
overall index
$1,875/mo rent

Akron is moderately cheaper than Bellingham — 10.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Akron, you would need $88,500 in Bellingham. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+47.0%
Akron
76.8
Bellingham
112.9
🛒 Groceries+12.2%
Akron
93.6
Bellingham
105
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Akron
103.9
Bellingham
104.4
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Akron
94
Bellingham
94.5
Utilities+3.6%
Akron
96.4
Bellingham
99.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Bellingham, WA
$88,500
$8,500 more needed in Bellingham

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 93.4) = salary × 1.1060. 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×

Bellingham, WA

Median Home Price
$598,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,875
Housing Index
112.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.6×

Bellingham has 47.0% 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

Bellingham, WA

Median Household Income
$74,900
Per Capita Income
$42,700
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
92,314
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyManufacturingTourism

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)

Bellingham, WA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.