Moving from Kent, WA to Akron, OH
Cross-country relocations like Kent, WA β Akron, OH cover 2426 mi and about 42h 47m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2426 mi Β· 42h 47m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 94, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | 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 |
Overall prices in Akron are 16.0% below Kent β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Akron typical home at $137,894 is 16.0% under Kent at $656,314 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 32.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.8Β°F vs 52.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 16.0% between Kent and Akron (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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $656,314 in Kent β a 79.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $90,416 in Kent β a 46.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2426 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent 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.
Is Akron more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 16.0% lower than Kent (93.37 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Akron, OH from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 2426 mi and the route typically takes 42h 47m via I 90 and I 94. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Akron, OH.