Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Akron, OH
It is 2366 mi and 41h 55m from Costa Mesa to Akron β a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2366 mi Β· 41h 55m 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
| Costa Mesa | 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 |
Expect about 17.8% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Akron at 93.37 vs Costa Mesa at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 17.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,413,322 to $137,894 moving to Akron.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 32.5" |
Expect 12.6Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.26 |
Expect median household income to fall 17.8% β $110,073 β $48,544 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.6Β°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 does the job market in Akron compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 17.8% lower than Costa Mesa (93.37 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 55.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Akron, OH from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 2366 mi and the route typically takes 41h 55m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa 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 much do homes cost in Akron compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 90.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Akron, OH.