Moving from Boulder, CO to Akron, OH
Relocating 1363 mi from Boulder to Akron is a 24h 27m drive through 6 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.
1363 mi Β· 24h 27m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 76 |
| 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
| Boulder | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.2% cheaper overall in Akron than Boulder on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.2% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Boulder | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 32.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.26 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.2% β $85,364 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 Colorado 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
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is Akron, OH from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 1363 mi and the route typically takes 24h 27m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $85,364 in Boulder β a 43.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 194,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Akron more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 11.2% lower than Boulder (93.37 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $964,531 in Boulder β a 85.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Boulder to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1363 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 Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO Β· Akron, OH.