Moving from Overland Park, KS to Akron, OH
The drive from Overland Park, KS to Akron, OH runs 796 mi β about 15h 3m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
796 mi Β· 15h 3m by car Β· KS β MO β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β MO β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 71 |
| Major cities en route | Olathe, Kansas City, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Overland Park | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Overland Park (92.543) 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: 0.9% below Overland Park on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Overland Park | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 32.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.9% between Overland Park 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 Kansas 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 much do homes cost in Akron compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $482,295 in Overland Park β a 71.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Overland Park to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 796 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Akron more expensive than Overland Park?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 0.9% higher than Overland Park (93.37 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Akron, OH from Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 796 mi and the route typically takes 15h 3m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Overland Park vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $103,838 in Overland Park β a 53.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Overland Park.
City profiles: Overland Park, KS Β· Akron, OH.