Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Akron, OH
Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Akron, OH is a 2491 mi cross-country relocation β about 44h 34m of driving through 10 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.
2491 mi Β· 44h 34m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 80 EXPRESS |
| 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
| Santa Maria | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Akron are 14.2% below Santa Maria 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 14.2% under Santa Maria at $658,011 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 32.5" |
Akron is 6.3Β°F cooler on the annual average (58.6Β°F vs 52.3Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 2.26 |
Median household income in Akron is 14.2% below Santa Maria ($84,617 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 79.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 202,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 42.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Akron more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 14.2% lower than Santa Maria (93.37 vs 108.798, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2491 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 Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 2491 mi and the route typically takes 44h 34m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 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 Santa Maria.
City profiles: Santa Maria, CA Β· Akron, OH.