Moving from Akron, OH to Kansas City, KS
Relocating 792 mi from Akron to Kansas City is a 15h drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
792 mi Β· 15h by car Β· OH β IN β IL β MO β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β MO β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 71, I 270 |
| Major cities en route | Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, St Louis, Columbia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Akron | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.37 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.448 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.785 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.9% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Akron +2.2%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Akron | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 32.5" | 38.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Kansas City gets around 11.0 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Akron | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $48,544 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.3% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.9% β $48,544 β $59,183 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Kansas City average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Kansas City, KS from Akron, OH?
The driving distance is 792 mi and the route typically takes 15h via I 70 and I 71. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Akron to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 792 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 Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $48,544 in Akron β a 21.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Akron?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $45,950 in the Akron MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 320,810 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Akron?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 0.9% lower than Akron (92.543 vs 93.37, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Akron?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $137,894 in Akron β a 43.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Akron.
City profiles: Akron, OH Β· Kansas City, KS.