Moving from Seattle, WA to Akron, OH
Cross-country relocations like Seattle, WA β Akron, OH cover 2411 mi and about 42h 42m of driving through 10 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.
2411 mi Β· 42h 42m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | 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 Seattle 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 Seattle at $868,680 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Seattle | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 32.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.2Β°F vs 52.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 16.0% between Seattle 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
- 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.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is Akron, OH from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 2411 mi and the route typically takes 42h 42m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $121,984 in Seattle β a 60.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $868,680 in Seattle β a 84.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Akron compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle 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.
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2411 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Akron more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 16.0% lower than Seattle (93.37 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA Β· Akron, OH.