Moving from Akron, OH to Oakland, CA
Cross-country relocations like Akron, OH β Oakland, CA cover 2482 mi and about 43h 13m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2482 mi Β· 43h 13m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 77 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Akron | Oakland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.37 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.448 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.785 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 23.8% higher overall in Oakland vs Akron on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Oakland: 23.8% above Akron on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Akron +2.2%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Akron | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 72Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 32.5" | 22.6" |
Climate warms by 7.3Β°F on the annual average β 52.3Β°F β 59.6Β°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Oakland β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Akron | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $48,544 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.3% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.53 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 23.8% between Akron and Oakland (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oakland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Oakland compare to Akron?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $45,950 in the Akron MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 320,810 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Oakland more expensive than Akron?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oakland is 23.8% higher than Akron (115.613 vs 93.37, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Oakland, CA from Akron, OH?
The driving distance is 2482 mi and the route typically takes 43h 13m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Akron vs Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $48,544 in Akron β a 100.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Akron to Oakland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2482 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Oakland compared to Akron?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $137,894 in Akron β a 419.4% 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· Oakland, CA.