Moving from Lancaster, CA to Akron, OH
It is 2344 mi and 41h 29m from Lancaster 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.
2344 mi Β· 41h 29m 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
| Lancaster | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 17.8% cheaper overall in Akron than Lancaster on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
17.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lancaster -2.1%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lancaster | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 6.8" | 32.5" |
Expect 9.8Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lancaster | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $76,083 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.7% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 2.26 |
Expect median household income to fall 17.8% β $76,083 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.
Frequently asked
Is Akron more expensive than Lancaster?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 17.8% lower than Lancaster (93.37 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Lancaster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $50,490 in the Lancaster 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.
When is the best time to move from Lancaster to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2344 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 Lancaster vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $76,083 in Lancaster β a 36.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Lancaster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $465,847 in Lancaster β a 70.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Akron, OH from Lancaster, CA?
The driving distance is 2344 mi and the route typically takes 41h 29m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 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 Lancaster.
City profiles: Lancaster, CA Β· Akron, OH.