Akron, OH vs Kalamazoo, MI: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Kalamazoo, MI is 1.6% more expensive than Akron, OH (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Akron works out to about $76,200 in Kalamazoo, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 6.3% more in Kalamazoo. Goods are 0.1% higher and other services 0.6% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,287 a month in Kalamazoo and $1,306 in Akron, nearly the same (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $274,000 in Kalamazoo and $240,000 in Akron.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.6%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 6.3% higher in Kalamazoo than in Akron
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Akron, OH
- Kalamazoo, MI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Akron, OH | Kalamazoo, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.4 | 94.8 |
| Goods | 93.6 | 93.7 |
| Housing (rents) | 76.8 | 81.6 |
| Utilities | 96.4 | 99.3 |
| Other services | 98.9 | 99.6 |
| Category | Akron | Kalamazoo | Kalamazoo vs Akron |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.4 | 94.8 | +1.6% |
| Goods | 93.6 | 93.7 | +0.1% |
| Housing (rents) | 76.8 | 81.6 | +6.3% |
| Utilities | 96.4 | 99.3 | +2.9% |
| Other services | 98.9 | 99.6 | +0.6% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,306 | $1,287 | −1.5% |
| Typical home value | $240,000 | $274,000 | +14.2% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Akron | $75,000 | $76,200 | +1.6% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Akron and Kalamazoo has narrowed since 2008: 5.0 points then, 1.5 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Akron, OH
- Kalamazoo, MI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Akron, OH | Kalamazoo, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 92.5 | 97.5 |
| 2009 | 95.2 | 97.7 |
| 2010 | 93.2 | 95.5 |
| 2011 | 94.0 | 93.7 |
| 2012 | 95.5 | 95.4 |
| 2013 | 95.2 | 96.6 |
| 2014 | 94.9 | 96.3 |
| 2015 | 95.5 | 93.1 |
| 2016 | 95.2 | 96.4 |
| 2017 | 95.3 | 93.4 |
| 2018 | 94.3 | 94.9 |
| 2019 | 94.7 | 94.1 |
| 2020 | 93.5 | 95.3 |
| 2021 | 93.5 | 93.1 |
| 2022 | 92.1 | 94.8 |
| 2023 | 92.9 | 94.1 |
| 2024 | 93.4 | 94.8 |
Goods
- Akron, OH
- Kalamazoo, MI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Akron, OH | Kalamazoo, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 90.3 | 99.0 |
| 2009 | 95.5 | 97.5 |
| 2010 | 92.4 | 96.5 |
| 2011 | 95.1 | 96.0 |
| 2012 | 98.0 | 97.2 |
| 2013 | 100.3 | 97.0 |
| 2014 | 97.4 | 98.4 |
| 2015 | 96.7 | 97.7 |
| 2016 | 94.9 | 96.8 |
| 2017 | 95.5 | 94.9 |
| 2018 | 97.3 | 97.1 |
| 2019 | 95.9 | 95.9 |
| 2020 | 93.9 | 93.7 |
| 2021 | 94.4 | 94.4 |
| 2022 | 92.3 | 92.1 |
| 2023 | 94.1 | 94.1 |
| 2024 | 93.6 | 93.7 |
Housing (rents)
- Akron, OH
- Kalamazoo, MI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Akron, OH | Kalamazoo, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 84.9 | 88.7 |
| 2009 | 82.8 | 92.0 |
| 2010 | 80.8 | 83.2 |
| 2011 | 80.5 | 79.1 |
| 2012 | 84.1 | 85.3 |
| 2013 | 83.1 | 90.1 |
| 2014 | 77.7 | 90.9 |
| 2015 | 83.3 | 77.4 |
| 2016 | 82.3 | 95.8 |
| 2017 | 82.9 | 82.1 |
| 2018 | 81.4 | 84.4 |
| 2019 | 80.9 | 75.7 |
| 2020 | 81.8 | 89.3 |
| 2021 | 80.3 | 76.2 |
| 2022 | 76.6 | 89.5 |
| 2023 | 77.5 | 82.6 |
| 2024 | 76.8 | 81.6 |
Utilities
- Akron, OH
- Kalamazoo, MI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Akron, OH | Kalamazoo, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 110.7 | 93.3 |
| 2009 | 111.0 | 101.3 |
| 2010 | 90.8 | 102.8 |
| 2011 | 90.8 | 105.0 |
| 2012 | 87.1 | 107.0 |
| 2013 | 92.6 | 106.5 |
| 2014 | 90.1 | 98.3 |
| 2015 | 93.5 | 97.3 |
| 2016 | 90.7 | 96.9 |
| 2017 | 83.9 | 100.8 |
| 2018 | 94.3 | 104.5 |
| 2019 | 90.6 | 101.4 |
| 2020 | 91.2 | 105.4 |
| 2021 | 91.9 | 104.8 |
| 2022 | 87.4 | 98.0 |
| 2023 | 88.8 | 97.9 |
| 2024 | 96.4 | 99.3 |
Other services
- Akron, OH
- Kalamazoo, MI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Akron, OH | Kalamazoo, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.4 | 100.1 |
| 2009 | 98.3 | 99.7 |
| 2010 | 98.1 | 99.1 |
| 2011 | 98.1 | 96.9 |
| 2012 | 97.8 | 97.1 |
| 2013 | 95.9 | 97.9 |
| 2014 | 99.3 | 96.6 |
| 2015 | 98.6 | 95.0 |
| 2016 | 99.9 | 96.3 |
| 2017 | 99.8 | 95.3 |
| 2018 | 96.3 | 96.5 |
| 2019 | 98.5 | 98.6 |
| 2020 | 97.6 | 97.8 |
| 2021 | 97.5 | 97.9 |
| 2022 | 97.7 | 98.2 |
| 2023 | 97.5 | 97.7 |
| 2024 | 98.9 | 99.6 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,287 in Kalamazoo vs $1,306 in Akron
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Akron, OH
- Kalamazoo, MI
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Akron, OH | Kalamazoo, MI | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $723 | $732 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $736 | $721 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $735 | $759 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $742 | $744 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $739 | $756 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $753 | $772 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $754 | $795 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $753 | $776 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $767 | $794 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $778 | $810 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $776 | $812 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $774 | $817 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $785 | $828 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $791 | $853 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $792 | $861 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $796 | $869 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $813 | $881 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $822 | $885 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $829 | $900 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $825 | $919 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $839 | $917 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $865 | $921 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $871 | $933 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $885 | $945 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $907 | $960 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $951 | $988 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $972 | $1,031 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $985 | $1,040 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,011 | $1,060 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,057 | $1,099 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,073 | $1,120 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,087 | $1,110 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,088 | $1,117 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,131 | $1,134 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,140 | $1,132 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,144 | $1,135 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,164 | $1,155 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,185 | $1,182 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,206 | $1,188 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,203 | $1,200 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,219 | $1,216 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,229 | $1,220 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,258 | $1,227 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,246 | $1,223 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,273 | $1,241 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,295 | $1,279 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,306 | $1,287 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $274,000 in Kalamazoo vs $240,000 in Akron
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Akron, OH
- Kalamazoo, MI
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Akron, OH | Kalamazoo, MI | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $119K | $136K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $121K | $140K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $123K | $142K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $124K | $144K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $126K | $146K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $127K | $148K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $128K | $150K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $130K | $150K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $131K | $151K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $133K | $154K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $135K | $156K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $137K | $160K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $139K | $163K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $141K | $166K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $143K | $169K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $145K | $171K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $148K | $174K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $150K | $178K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $151K | $178K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $152K | $181K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $155K | $186K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $157K | $189K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $161K | $191K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $168K | $199K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $175K | $207K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $181K | $216K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $184K | $221K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $184K | $224K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $191K | $232K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $198K | $240K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $200K | $239K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $201K | $238K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $200K | $237K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $205K | $244K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $210K | $248K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $212K | $248K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $215K | $252K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $220K | $256K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $222K | $256K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $224K | $259K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $228K | $261K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $229K | $261K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $231K | $263K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $233K | $267K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $236K | $271K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $239K | $273K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $240K | $274K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.