Moving from Columbia, MO to Akron, OH
A move from Columbia, MO to Akron, OH covers 657 mi and around 12h 32m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
657 mi Β· 12h 32m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 71, I 270 |
| Major cities en route | Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbia | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.438 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.966 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 69.248 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Columbia (89.438) and Akron (93.37) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Akron: 4.4% below Columbia on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Columbia +2.6%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Columbia | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.8" | 32.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLUMBIA U OF M, MO US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $64,488 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.1% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.26 |
Median household income in Akron is 4.4% below Columbia ($64,488 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 Missouri 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Columbia to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 657 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Akron more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 4.4% higher than Columbia (93.37 vs 89.438, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Columbia vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $64,488 in Columbia β a 24.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Columbia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $44,410 in the Columbia MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 97,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Akron, OH from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance is 657 mi and the route typically takes 12h 32m via I 70 and I 71. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Columbia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $321,091 in Columbia β a 57.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Columbia.
City profiles: Columbia, MO Β· Akron, OH.