Moving from Berkeley, CA to Akron, OH
It is 2467 mi and 42h 57m from Berkeley to Akron β a cross-country move across 9 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2467 mi Β· 42h 57m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Berkeley | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 19.2% cheaper overall in Akron than Berkeley on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.2% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Berkeley -1.2%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Berkeley | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 26.1" | 32.5" |
Expect 6.2Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BERKELEY, CA US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Berkeley | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $108,558 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 32.9 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.4% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.26 |
Expect median household income to fall 19.2% β $108,558 β $48,544 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Akron MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 39,390 | $41,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 35,340 | $38,160 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 28,050 | $35,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 27,940 | $28,550 |
| Production Occupations | 25,300 | $41,600 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 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-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.
Frequently asked
Is Akron more expensive than Berkeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 19.2% lower than Berkeley (93.37 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Berkeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Berkeley to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2467 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 Akron compared to Berkeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $1,443,684 in Berkeley β a 90.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Akron, OH from Berkeley, CA?
The driving distance is 2467 mi and the route typically takes 42h 57m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Berkeley vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $108,558 in Berkeley β a 55.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Berkeley.
City profiles: Berkeley, CA Β· Akron, OH.