Moving from Akron, OH to Palmdale, CA
Moving from Akron, OH to Palmdale, CA is a 2331 mi cross-country relocation β about 41h 22m of driving through 10 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2331 mi Β· 41h 22m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago, Joliet |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Akron | Palmdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.37 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.448 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.785 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Palmdale runs 21.6% higher than Akron β a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (93.37 β 113.566, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Palmdale is 21.6% above Akron β $137,894 vs $501,257 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Akron +2.2%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Akron | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 32.5" | 7.3" |
Palmdale runs 11.3Β°F warmer on the annual average (52.3Β°F vs 63.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Palmdale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Akron | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $48,544 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.3% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 3.56 |
Median household income in Palmdale is 21.6% above Akron ($48,544 vs $81,151, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Palmdale average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Akron to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2331 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Palmdale more expensive than Akron?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palmdale is 21.6% higher than Akron (113.566 vs 93.37, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Palmdale, CA from Akron, OH?
The driving distance is 2331 mi and the route typically takes 41h 22m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Akron?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA vs $45,950 in the Akron MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 320,810 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Akron vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $48,544 in Akron β a 67.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Akron?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $137,894 in Akron β a 263.5% 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· Palmdale, CA.