Moving from Akron, OH to Cincinnati, OH
It is a 233 mi drive, roughly 4h 33m, between Akron, OH and Cincinnati, OH. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
233 mi Β· 4h 33m by car Β· OH
Distance & route
| Route through | OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 71, I 76, US 224 |
| Major cities en route | Dayton, Columbus, Cleveland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Akron | Cincinnati | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.37 | 95.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.448 | 90.954 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 93.751 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.785 | 87.608 | 100.0 |
Akron and Cincinnati sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $137,894 in Akron to $249,568 in Cincinnati, a 2.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Akron +2.2%, Cincinnati +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Akron | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 32.5" | 43.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.3Β°F vs 54.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US, CINCINNATI LUNKEN AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Akron | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 309,595 |
| Median household income | $48,544 | $51,707 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.3% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.17 |
Households in Cincinnati earn about 2.1% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cincinnati MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 134,320 | $43,760 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,420 | $40,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 103,690 | $29,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 91,020 | $35,670 |
| Production Occupations | 77,510 | $44,290 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Frequently asked
How far is Cincinnati, OH from Akron, OH?
The driving distance is 233 mi and the route typically takes 4h 33m via I 71 and I 76. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Akron to Cincinnati?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 233 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Akron vs Cincinnati?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,707 in Cincinnati vs $48,544 in Akron β a 6.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Cincinnati compared to Akron?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,568 in Cincinnati vs $137,894 in Akron β a 81.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Cincinnati compare to Akron?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,280 in the Cincinnati MSA vs $45,950 in the Akron MSA, on total employment of 1,081,800 and 320,810 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Cincinnati more expensive than Akron?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cincinnati is 2.1% higher than Akron (95.37 vs 93.37, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Akron.
City profiles: Akron, OH Β· Cincinnati, OH.