Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Akron to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Phoenix has a higher median household income ($81,332 vs. $48,076) and higher housing costs (median gross rent $1,582 vs. $955; median home value $420,700 vs. $122,000) than Akron. Phoenix also has a longer average commute (28 vs. 24 minutes) and applies a 2.50% state individual income tax in the calculator’s baseline, while Akron’s state tax is excluded due to lack of approved reference. These factors create a trade-off: Phoenix offers greater income potential but at higher housing and tax costs, with a slightly longer commute, while Akron provides lower living expenses relative to income, though with lower earnings potential.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → AkronMoving from Akron to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$627/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$7,524 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+4 min / day
Difference of ~33 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTAKR → PHX
52/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$2,060after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Akron is about $7,524 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Akron household income$48,076
Phoenix household income$81,332
Akron gross rent$955
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Akron | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 189,247 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $48,076 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $955 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $122,000 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 24 minutes in Akron and 28 minutes in Phoenix. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- One-way commute time
- State individual income tax treatment in calculator
What each city wins
Akron
Median rent is under $1,000 monthly.. Watch lower housing costs may reflect lower income levels or limited job access..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Akron and Phoenix relative to income?
Phoenix’s median gross rent is 65.6% higher than Akron’s ($1,582 vs. $955), while its median household income is 69.2% higher ($81,332 vs. $48,076), indicating housing costs rise slightly less than income, but home values are 244.8% higher in Phoenix.
What role does the state income tax play in the cost comparison?
The calculator applies a 2.50% state individual income tax rate for Phoenix as a modeling assumption, while Akron’s state tax is excluded due to lack of an approved reference; this affects net income comparisons but does not reflect actual liability.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.