Moving from Akron, OH to Madison, WI
Relocating 517 mi from Akron to Madison is a 9h 52m drive through 4 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.
517 mi Β· 9h 52m by car Β· WI β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 39 |
| Major cities en route | Rockford, Elgin, Aurora, Naperville, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Akron | Madison | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.37 | 97.287 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.448 | 89.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 93.787 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.785 | 99.748 | 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
4.2% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Akron +2.2%, Madison +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Akron | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 32.5" | 40.2" |
Expect 5.1Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US, UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Akron | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 275,568 |
| Median household income | $48,544 | $76,983 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.3% | 33.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.19 |
Expect median household income to rise 4.2% β $48,544 β $76,983 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Madison MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 47,900 | $46,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 34,050 | $37,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 32,230 | $30,120 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 31,450 | $76,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 28,080 | $40,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and Wisconsin
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Wisconsin'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.
Winter driving along this route
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Madison compared to Akron?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $423,767 in Madison vs $137,894 in Akron β a 207.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Madison, WI from Akron, OH?
The driving distance is 517 mi and the route typically takes 9h 52m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Akron vs Madison?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,983 in Madison vs $48,544 in Akron β a 58.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Madison compare to Akron?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,910 in the Madison MSA vs $45,950 in the Akron MSA, on total employment of 396,960 and 320,810 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Madison more expensive than Akron?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Madison is 4.2% higher than Akron (97.287 vs 93.37, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Akron to Madison?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 517 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Akron.
City profiles: Akron, OH Β· Madison, WI.