Moving from San Francisco, CA to Akron, OH
A 2511 mi cross-country move between San Francisco and Akron is 44h 14m 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.
2511 mi Β· 44h 14m 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 | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | 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 cost of living drops 19.2% moving from San Francisco to Akron β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,356,662 in San Francisco to $137,894 in Akron, a 19.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Francisco | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 62Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 32.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 56.2Β°F vs 52.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.26 |
Akron households earn about 19.2% less than San Francisco at the median β $141,446 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
- 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 San Francisco to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2511 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Akron compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco 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.
Is Akron more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 19.2% lower than San Francisco (93.37 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $141,446 in San Francisco β a 65.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco β a 89.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Akron, OH from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 2511 mi and the route typically takes 44h 14m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA Β· Akron, OH.