Moving from Des Moines, IA to Akron, OH
The drive from Des Moines, IA to Akron, OH runs 685 mi β about 12h 43m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
685 mi Β· 12h 43m by car Β· IA β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 77 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Aurora, Joliet, Naperville, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Akron and Des Moines are close on the overall BEA RPP (91.701 vs 93.37); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Akron typical home at $137,894 is 1.8% under Des Moines at $208,166 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 32.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.9Β°F vs 52.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 1.8% between Des Moines and Akron (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.
Moving between Iowa 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 24.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 33.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Akron, OH from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 685 mi and the route typically takes 12h 43m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 685 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Akron more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 1.8% higher than Des Moines (93.37 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA Β· Akron, OH.