Moving from Naperville, IL to Akron, OH
It is a 388 mi drive, roughly 7h 24m, between Naperville, IL 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.
388 mi Β· 7h 24m by car Β· OH β IN β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 355 |
| 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
| Naperville | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.9% cheaper overall in Akron than Naperville on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.9% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Naperville +5.2%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Naperville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 32.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Naperville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $150,937 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.8% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.26 |
Akron households earn about 9.9% less than Naperville at the median β $150,937 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 Illinois 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
Is Akron more expensive than Naperville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 9.9% lower than Naperville (93.37 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Naperville to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 388 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Akron, OH from Naperville, IL?
The driving distance is 388 mi and the route typically takes 7h 24m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Naperville vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $150,937 in Naperville β a 67.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Naperville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $610,454 in Naperville β a 77.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Naperville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $49,790 in the Naperville MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 4,506,800 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 Naperville.
City profiles: Naperville, IL Β· Akron, OH.