Moving from Oakland, CA to Akron, OH
Cross-country relocations like Oakland, CA β Akron, OH cover 2482 mi and about 43h 13m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2482 mi Β· 43h 13m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 77 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oakland | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Akron are 19.2% below Oakland β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Akron typical home at $137,894 is 19.2% under Oakland at $716,248 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oakland | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 72Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | 32.5" |
Climate cools by 7.3Β°F on the annual average β 59.6Β°F β 52.3Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 19.2% between Oakland 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 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Oakland to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2482 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Akron more expensive than Oakland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 19.2% lower than Oakland (93.37 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Oakland vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $97,369 in Oakland β a 50.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Akron, OH from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 2482 mi and the route typically takes 43h 13m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $716,248 in Oakland β a 80.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA Β· Akron, OH.