Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Akron, OH
The drive from Virginia Beach, VA to Akron, OH runs 519 mi β about 10h 31m 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.
519 mi Β· 10h 31m by car Β· VA β WV β MD β PA β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β WV β MD β PA β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 76, I 70, PATP |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Akron and Virginia Beach 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
Typical home value in Akron is 4.7% below Virginia Beach β $427,032 vs $137,894 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 32.5" |
Climate cools by 7.5Β°F on the annual average β 59.8Β°F β 52.3Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 4.7% between Virginia Beach 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 Virginia 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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 519 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 Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach β a 67.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach β a 46.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Akron more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 4.7% lower than Virginia Beach (93.37 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Akron, OH from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 519 mi and the route typically takes 10h 31m via I 76 and I 70. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA Β· Akron, OH.