Moving from Cincinnati, OH to Akron, OH
It is a 233 mi drive, roughly 4h 33m, between Cincinnati, OH and Akron, OH. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
233 mi Β· 4h 33m by car Β· OH
Distance & route
| Route through | OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 71, I 76, US 224 |
| Major cities en route | Dayton, Columbus, Cleveland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cincinnati | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.37 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.954 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.751 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 87.608 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cincinnati +1.7%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cincinnati | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.4" | 32.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CINCINNATI LUNKEN AP, OH US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cincinnati | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $51,707 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 33 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.2% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.26 |
Households in Akron earn about 2.1% less at the median β 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.
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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Cincinnati?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $249,568 in Cincinnati β a 44.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Cincinnati to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 233 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 Cincinnati, OH?
The driving distance is 233 mi and the route typically takes 4h 33m via I 71 and I 76. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Akron more expensive than Cincinnati?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 2.1% lower than Cincinnati (93.37 vs 95.37, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Cincinnati vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $51,707 in Cincinnati β a 6.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Cincinnati?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $47,280 in the Cincinnati MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 1,081,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cincinnati.
City profiles: Cincinnati, OH Β· Akron, OH.