Moving from Tacoma, WA to Akron, OH
A 2424 mi cross-country move between Tacoma and Akron is 42h 59m 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.
2424 mi Β· 42h 59m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Expect about 16.0% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Akron at 93.37 vs Tacoma at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 16.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $493,840 to $137,894 moving to Akron.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 32.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Tacoma (53.7Β°F) and Akron (52.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.26 |
Akron households earn about 16.0% less than Tacoma at the median β $83,857 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2424 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 72.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Akron, OH from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2424 mi and the route typically takes 42h 59m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Akron more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 16.0% lower than Tacoma (93.37 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 42.1% 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Akron, OH.