City comparison
Akron, OH vs Lincoln, NE
What a paycheck is really worth in each city: prices, rent and state taxes.
Key findings
- Prices in Akron, OH are 2.0% higher than in Lincoln, NE. Someone earning $100,000 in Lincoln, NE would need about $102,000 in Akron, OH to live the same way.
- Rent differs too: a typical 1-bedroom costs $985 a month in Akron, OH versus $926 in Lincoln, NE. On $100,000, that's 15% of take-home pay in Akron, OH and 15% in Lincoln, NE.
- On $100,000, estimated state income tax is about $1,703 a year higher in Lincoln, NE than in Akron, OH.
- For federal employees, locality pay changes a GS-13 step 1 salary by −4.2% moving from Akron, OH to Lincoln, NE ($111,138 → $106,437), while prices change by −1.9%. Net effect of the transfer: −2.4% in real buying power.
- Akron, OH: price level 93.4 (cheaper)
- Lincoln, NE: price level 91.6 (much cheaper)
Map drawn from Census Bureau state boundaries and metro locations9,10; dot colours show BEA price levels2.
Side by side
| Akron, OH | Lincoln, NE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (U.S. = 100)2 | 93.4 | 91.6 |
| $100,000 is worth, in the other city2 | $98,084 in Lincoln | $101,953 in Akron |
| Typical 1-bedroom rent3 | $985/mo | $926/mo |
| Take-home on $100,00014,15,8 | $77,212 | $75,510 |
| State income tax on $100,000 (estimate)8 | $1,968 (OH) | $3,670 (NE) |
| Rent burden on $100,000 | 15% | 15% |
| Median pay, all jobs4 | $48,840 | $49,800 |
| Federal locality pay area7 | Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH-PA | Rest of U.S. |
Rent areas: Akron, OH MSA and Lincoln, NE HUD Metro FMR Area. Metro areas: Akron, OH and Lincoln, NE.
What costs more or less
| Price level (U.S. = 100) | Akron | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | 76.8 | 84.2 |
| Goods | 93.6 | 94.1 |
| Utilities | 96.4 | 76.8 |
| Other services | 98.9 | 93.0 |
| Overall | 93.4 | 91.6 |
Moving with the same $100,000 salary
Akron, OH → Lincoln, NE
Roughly even
Buying power +2.0%; rent takes 15% of take-home; state tax +$1,703/yr.
75 Strong offer
Lincoln, NE → Akron, OH
Roughly even
Buying power −1.9%; rent takes 15% of take-home; state tax −$1,703/yr.
63 Fair offer
On the GS pay scale?
Akron, OH is in the Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH-PA pay area; Lincoln, NE is in Rest of U.S.. The last column shows what a transfer from Akron, OH to Lincoln, NE at the same grade and step does to real buying power.
| Grade5,2 | Akron, OH | Lincoln, NE | Real change, Akron → Lincoln |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-9 step 1 | $64,448 | $61,722 | −2.4% |
| GS-11 step 1 | $77,977 | $74,678 | −2.4% |
| GS-12 step 1 | $93,461 | $89,508 | −2.4% |
| GS-13 step 1 | $111,138 | $106,437 | −2.4% |
| GS-14 step 1 | $131,331 | $125,776 | −2.4% |
Pay for common jobs
| Median annual pay4 | Akron, OH | Lincoln, NE | Lincoln pay in Akron dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $78,560 | $61,940 | $63,150 (−19.6%) |
| Software Developers | $105,430 | $101,690 | $103,676 (−1.7%) |
| Accountants and Auditors | $78,540 | $65,170 | $66,443 (−15.4%) |
| Registered Nurses | $80,770 | $87,530 | $89,240 (+10.5%) |
"Not published" means BLS doesn't release an estimate for that job in that metro.