Moving from Akron, OH to San Jose, CA
Cross-country relocations like Akron, OH β San Jose, CA cover 2518 mi and about 43h 52m 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.
2518 mi Β· 43h 52m 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 680 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clara, Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Akron | San Jose | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.37 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.448 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.785 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in San Jose is 18.3% higher than Akron, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in San Jose is 18.3% above Akron β $137,894 vs $1,463,614 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Akron +2.2%, San Jose -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Akron | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 32.5" | 16.1" |
Climate warms by 9.2Β°F on the annual average β 52.3Β°F β 61.5Β°F.
San Jose 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, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Akron | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 990,054 |
| Median household income | $48,544 | $141,565 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.3% | 26.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 3.03 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 18.3% between Akron and San Jose (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Jose MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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 household income compare in Akron vs San Jose?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,565 in San Jose vs $48,544 in Akron β a 191.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is San Jose, CA from Akron, OH?
The driving distance is 2518 mi and the route typically takes 43h 52m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is San Jose more expensive than Akron?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Jose is 18.3% higher than Akron (110.423 vs 93.37, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in San Jose compare to Akron?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the San Jose MSA vs $45,950 in the Akron MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 320,810 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Akron to San Jose?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2518 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 San Jose compared to Akron?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,463,614 in San Jose vs $137,894 in Akron β a 961.4% 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· San Jose, CA.