Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Akron, OH
Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Akron, OH is a 2366 mi cross-country relocation β about 41h 50m of driving through 9 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2366 mi Β· 41h 50m 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 | Long Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | 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 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 93.37, putting Akron roughly 17.8% below Santa Ana on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Akron: 17.8% below Santa Ana on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | 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" |
Akron is 13.8Β°F cooler on the annual average (66.1Β°F vs 52.3Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
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 | Santa Ana | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 2.26 |
Median household income in Akron is 17.8% below Santa Ana ($88,354 vs $48,544, ACS 5-year 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 (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 far is Akron, OH from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 2366 mi and the route typically takes 41h 50m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2366 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 Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 17.8% lower than Santa Ana (93.37 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 84.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 45.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA Β· Akron, OH.