City comparison
Akron, OH vs Madison, WI
What a paycheck is really worth in each city: prices, rent and state taxes.
Key findings
- Prices in Madison, WI are 4.2% higher than in Akron, OH. Someone earning $100,000 in Akron, OH would need about $104,200 in Madison, WI to live the same way.
- Rent is the bigger story: a typical 1-bedroom costs $1,482 a month in Madison, WI versus $985 in Akron, OH. On $100,000, that's 24% of take-home pay in Madison, WI and 15% in Akron, OH.
- On $100,000, estimated state income tax is about $1,952 a year higher in Madison, WI than in Akron, OH.
- For federal employees, locality pay changes a GS-13 step 1 salary by −4.2% moving from Akron, OH to Madison, WI ($111,138 → $106,437), while prices change by +4.2%. Net effect of the transfer: −8.1% in real buying power.
- Akron, OH: price level 93.4 (cheaper)
- Madison, WI: price level 97.3 (cheaper)
Map drawn from Census Bureau state boundaries and metro locations9,10; dot colours show BEA price levels2.
Side by side
| Akron, OH | Madison, WI | |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (U.S. = 100)2 | 93.4 | 97.3 |
| $100,000 is worth, in the other city2 | $104,195 in Madison | $95,974 in Akron |
| Typical 1-bedroom rent3 | $985/mo | $1,482/mo |
| Take-home on $100,00014,15,8 | $77,212 | $75,261 |
| State income tax on $100,000 (estimate)8 | $1,968 (OH) | $3,919 (WI) |
| Rent burden on $100,000 | 15% | 24% |
| Median pay, all jobs4 | $48,840 | $58,080 |
| Federal locality pay area7 | Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH-PA | Rest of U.S. |
Rent areas: Akron, OH MSA and Madison, WI HUD Metro FMR Area. Metro areas: Akron, OH and Madison, WI.
What costs more or less
| Price level (U.S. = 100) | Akron | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | 76.8 | 99.7 |
| Goods | 93.6 | 93.8 |
| Utilities | 96.4 | 89.8 |
| Other services | 98.9 | 99.4 |
| Overall | 93.4 | 97.3 |
Moving with the same $100,000 salary
Akron, OH → Madison, WI
Same pay buys less
Buying power −4.0%; rent takes 24% of take-home; state tax +$1,952/yr.
56 Fair offer
Madison, WI → Akron, OH
Same pay goes further
Buying power +4.2%; rent takes 15% of take-home; state tax −$1,952/yr.
82 Strong offer
On the GS pay scale?
Akron, OH is in the Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH-PA pay area; Madison, WI is in Rest of U.S.. The last column shows what a transfer from Akron, OH to Madison, WI at the same grade and step does to real buying power.
| Grade5,2 | Akron, OH | Madison, WI | Real change, Akron → Madison |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-9 step 1 | $64,448 | $61,722 | −8.1% |
| GS-11 step 1 | $77,977 | $74,678 | −8.1% |
| GS-12 step 1 | $93,461 | $89,508 | −8.1% |
| GS-13 step 1 | $111,138 | $106,437 | −8.1% |
| GS-14 step 1 | $131,331 | $125,776 | −8.1% |
Pay for common jobs
| Median annual pay4 | Akron, OH | Madison, WI | Madison pay in Akron dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $78,560 | $63,690 | $61,126 (−22.2%) |
| Software Developers | $105,430 | $130,630 | $125,371 (+18.9%) |
| Accountants and Auditors | $78,540 | $81,130 | $77,864 (−0.9%) |
| Registered Nurses | $80,770 | $101,190 | $97,116 (+20.2%) |
"Not published" means BLS doesn't release an estimate for that job in that metro.