Moving from Cleveland, OH to Dayton, OH
Relocating between Cleveland, OH and Dayton, OH is a 210 mi drive — 4h 1m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
210 mi · 4h 1m by car · OH
Distance & route
| Route through | OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 71, I 70, SR 4 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Columbus |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cleveland | Dayton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.923 | 92.694 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.967 | 95.388 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.434 | 72.712 | 100.0 |
Cleveland and Dayton sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Dayton run about 1.3% pricier — ZHVI $115,537 → $136,592 (2026-03).
YoY change: Cleveland -1.9%, Dayton +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Cleveland | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 24°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 81°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 12.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 33.3" | 41.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 52.3°F vs 53.3°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Dayton sees 12.3 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US, DAYTON MCD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cleveland | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 136,741 |
| Median household income | $39,187 | $43,454 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.5% | 12.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.18 | 2.36 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.3% higher in Dayton than Cleveland.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
OEWS occupation data not available for these MSAs.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Dayton averages 12.3 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Cleveland vs Dayton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,454 in Dayton vs $39,187 in Cleveland — a 10.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Dayton, OH from Cleveland, OH?
The driving distance is 210 mi and the route typically takes 4h 1m via I 71 and I 70. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Dayton compared to Cleveland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $136,592 in Dayton vs $115,537 in Cleveland — a 18.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Dayton more expensive than Cleveland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dayton is 1.3% lower than Cleveland (92.694 vs 93.923, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Cleveland to Dayton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 210 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Cleveland.
City profiles: Cleveland, OH · Dayton, OH.