Moving from Columbus, OH to Akron, OH
It is a 125 mi drive, roughly 2h 22m, between Columbus, OH and Akron, OH. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
125 mi Β· 2h 22m by car Β· OH
Distance & route
| Route through | OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 71, I 76, US 224 |
| Major cities en route | Cleveland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbus | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.469 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.523 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 87.945 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Columbus and Akron sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $245,979 in Columbus to $137,894 in Akron, a 2.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Columbus -0.5%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Columbus | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.7" | 32.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.8Β°F vs 52.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLUMBUS WCMH, OH US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbus | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $65,327 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 33 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.1% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.26 |
Akron households earn about 2.2% less than Columbus at the median β $65,327 β $48,544 on ACS 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.
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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Columbus vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $65,327 in Columbus β a 25.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Akron more expensive than Columbus?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 2.2% lower than Columbus (93.37 vs 95.469, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Akron, OH from Columbus, OH?
The driving distance is 125 mi and the route typically takes 2h 22m via I 71 and I 76. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 125 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 Columbus?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $245,979 in Columbus β a 43.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Columbus?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $47,970 in the Columbus MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 1,067,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Columbus.
City profiles: Columbus, OH Β· Akron, OH.