Moving from Portland, OR to Akron, OH
It is 2472 mi and 43h 3m from Portland 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.
2472 mi Β· 43h 3m by car Β· OR β WA β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β WA β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Vancouver, Gresham, Meridian, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 11.4% moving from Portland to Akron β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $534,638 in Portland to $137,894 in Akron, a 11.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Portland | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 32.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 54.8Β°F vs 52.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.26 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.4% β $88,792 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 Oregon 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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
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 Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $534,638 in Portland β a 74.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Portland vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $88,792 in Portland β a 45.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Akron more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 11.4% lower than Portland (93.37 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Akron, OH from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 2472 mi and the route typically takes 43h 3m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2472 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR Β· Akron, OH.