Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Akron?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Akron, you need to earn at least $42,760/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $46,596, which means the typical resident is $3,836 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 190,273

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$748	$2,493	$29,920	$-16,676
1 Bedroom	$887	$2,957	$35,480	$-11,116
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,069	$3,563	$42,760	$-3,836
3 Bedroom	$1,304	$4,347	$52,160	+$5,564
4 Bedroom	$1,604	$5,347	$64,160	+$17,564

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Akron's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$46,596

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$42,760

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$3,836

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 27.5%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Akron

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Akron's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,165

Studio

$748/mo

1 BR

$887/mo

2 BR

$1,069/mo

3 BR

$1,304/mo

4 BR

$1,604/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Akron.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Akron's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Akron

Akron is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $3,836. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($887/month) or studio ($748/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Akron pushes the required income to $52,160.

For comfortable living in Akron without financial stress, target a household income of at least $64,140 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Ohio's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Akron, Ohio.

With a total population of 190,273, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 89,775 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $42,760 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

89,775

Active civilian employees in Akron

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Akron

What salary do I need to live in Akron, Ohio?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Akron under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $42,760. The median household income in Akron is $46,596.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Akron on $46,596?

The affordability verdict for Akron is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 27.5%, meaning median earners have a $3,836 surplus.

What is the average rent in Akron compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Akron is $887/month. With a median household income of $46,596, residents spend approximately 27.5% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Akron?

A studio in Akron rents for approximately $748/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $29,920 to afford this.

Is Akron considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $3,836 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Akron is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $42,760 to the local median household income.

How Akron Compares

Other cities in Ohio with salary requirements