CostIndexUSA

Akron, OH vs Charleston, WV Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OH
Akron
93.4
overall index
$1,225/mo rent
More AffordableWV
Charleston
88.7
overall index
$1,000/mo rent

Charleston is moderately cheaper than Akron — 5.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Akron, you would need $76,000 in Charleston. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing33.1%
Akron
76.8
Charleston
51.4
🛒 Groceries+2.9%
Akron
93.6
Charleston
96.3
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Akron
103.9
Charleston
104.8
🏥 Healthcare+0.9%
Akron
94
Charleston
94.8
Utilities4.9%
Akron
96.4
Charleston
91.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Charleston, WV
$76,000
$4,000 less needed in Charleston

Formula: salary × (88.7 ÷ 93.4) = salary × 0.9497. 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×

Charleston, WV

Median Home Price
$143,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,000
Housing Index
51.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Akron has 33.1% lower housing costs compared to Charleston.

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

Charleston, WV

Median Household Income
$55,400
Per Capita Income
$31,600
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
47,068
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareEnergyFinanceEducation

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)

Charleston, WV
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.