Moving from San Diego, CA to Akron, OH
It is 2387 mi and 42h 29m from San Diego to Akron β a cross-country move across 9 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2387 mi Β· 42h 29m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, El Cajon |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Diego | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 16.5% cheaper overall in Akron than San Diego on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.5% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: San Diego -3.2%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Diego | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 32.5" |
Expect 11.8Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN DIEGO MONTGOMERY FLD, CA US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Diego | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $104,321 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 36 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.26 |
Expect median household income to fall 16.5% β $104,321 β $48,544 per ACS 5-year estimates (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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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 (11.8Β°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 San Diego?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $1,001,265 in San Diego β a 86.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Akron compare to San Diego?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $53,090 in the San Diego MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Akron more expensive than San Diego?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 16.5% lower than San Diego (93.37 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Akron, OH from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance is 2387 mi and the route typically takes 42h 29m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Diego vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $104,321 in San Diego β a 53.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Diego to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2387 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 San Diego.
City profiles: San Diego, CA Β· Akron, OH.