Moving from St. Louis, MO to Akron, OH
The drive from St. Louis, MO to Akron, OH runs 544 mi β about 10h 13m 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.
544 mi Β· 10h 13m by car Β· MO β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 71, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Dayton, Columbus, Cleveland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Akron and St. Louis is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 32.5" |
Climate cools by 5.7Β°F on the annual average β 58.0Β°F β 52.3Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.26 |
Income steps down 1.8%: $55,279 in St. Louis vs $48,544 in Akron.
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 Missouri 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 does household income compare in St. Louis vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 12.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 544 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Akron compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Akron, OH from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 544 mi and the route typically takes 10h 13m via I 70 and I 71. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Akron more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 1.8% lower than St. Louis (93.37 vs 95.088, 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Akron, OH.