Moving from Rio Rancho, NM to Akron, OH
It is 1596 mi and 28h 43m from Rio Rancho to Akron β a cross-country move across 7 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.
1596 mi Β· 28h 43m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, St Louis, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rio Rancho | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.852 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.153 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 95.546 vs 93.37 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $361,856 to $137,894 moving to Akron.
YoY change: Rio Rancho +0.3%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rio Rancho | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.5" | 32.5" |
Expect 5.7Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIO RANCHO #2, NM US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rio Rancho | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,533 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $85,755 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 39 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.7% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.26 |
Expect median household income to fall 2.3% β $85,755 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 New Mexico 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Rio Rancho vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $85,755 in Rio Rancho β a 43.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Rio Rancho?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $44,780 in the Rio Rancho MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 396,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Akron more expensive than Rio Rancho?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 2.3% lower than Rio Rancho (93.37 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Akron, OH from Rio Rancho, NM?
The driving distance is 1596 mi and the route typically takes 28h 43m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Rio Rancho to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1596 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Rio Rancho?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $361,856 in Rio Rancho β a 61.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rio Rancho.
City profiles: Rio Rancho, NM Β· Akron, OH.