Moving from Fort Wayne, IN to Akron, OH
It is a 214 mi drive, roughly 4h 3m, between Fort Wayne, IN 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.
214 mi Β· 4h 3m by car Β· IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 30, I 71, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Cleveland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Wayne | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.572 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.247 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.318 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.277 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Fort Wayne and Akron sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $242,385 in Fort Wayne to $137,894 in Akron, a 0.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fort Wayne +2.4%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Wayne | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 32.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.9Β°F vs 52.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT WAYNE INTL AP, IN US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Wayne | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $60,293 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 35 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.26 |
Households in Akron earn about 0.9% 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.
Moving between Indiana 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
How far is Akron, OH from Fort Wayne, IN?
The driving distance is 214 mi and the route typically takes 4h 3m via US 30 and I 71. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Akron more expensive than Fort Wayne?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 0.9% higher than Fort Wayne (93.37 vs 92.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fort Wayne to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 214 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fort Wayne vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $60,293 in Fort Wayne β a 19.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Fort Wayne?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $242,385 in Fort Wayne β a 43.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Fort Wayne?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $44,600 in the Fort Wayne MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 221,290 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 Fort Wayne.
City profiles: Fort Wayne, IN Β· Akron, OH.