Moving from Wilmington, NC to Akron, OH
It is 650 mi between Wilmington and Akron β roughly 12h 17m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
650 mi Β· 12h 17m by car Β· OH β WV β VA β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β WV β VA β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 77, I 40, US 421 |
| Major cities en route | Cleveland, Winston Salem, High Point, Greensboro, Durham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Akron | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 93.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 96.448 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 76.785 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 96.422 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 3.2% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $416,159 to $137,894 moving to Akron.
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Wilmington | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 32.5" |
Annual temperature drops 12.1Β°F moving to Akron per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 189,526 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $48,544 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.26 |
Akron households earn about 3.2% less than Wilmington at the median β $63,900 β $48,544 on 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 North Carolina 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-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.1Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Ohio after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Akron compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $416,159 in Wilmington β a 66.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Akron, OH from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 650 mi and the route typically takes 12h 17m via I 77 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Akron more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 3.2% lower than Wilmington (93.37 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Akron?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $63,900 in Wilmington β a 24.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington to Akron?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 650 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 Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC Β· Akron, OH.