Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Akron, OH
A 2363 mi cross-country move between Garden Grove and Akron is 41h 49m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2363 mi Β· 41h 49m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 80 EXPRESS |
| 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
| Garden Grove | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 17.8% cheaper overall in Akron than Garden Grove on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
17.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garden Grove | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 32.5" |
Annual temperature drops 13.8Β°F moving to Akron per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.26 |
Akron households earn about 17.8% less than Garden Grove at the median β $90,166 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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.8Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Ohio after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove β a 86.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Akron more expensive than Garden Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 17.8% lower than Garden Grove (93.37 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Garden Grove vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $90,166 in Garden Grove β a 46.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Akron, OH from Garden Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 2363 mi and the route typically takes 41h 49m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Garden Grove to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2363 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 Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA Β· Akron, OH.