Moving from Dayton, OH to Columbus, OH
Relocating between Dayton, OH and Columbus, OH is a 74 mi drive β 1h 28m 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.
74 mi Β· 1h 28m by car Β· OH
Distance & route
| Route through | OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, SR 4, I 71 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dayton | Columbus | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 95.469 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 95.523 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 87.945 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.0% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Columbus -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Dayton | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 44.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, COLUMBUS WCMH, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 906,480 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $65,327 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 24.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.34 |
Expect median household income to rise 3.0% β $43,454 β $65,327 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Columbus MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 132,160 | $44,440 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 121,490 | $40,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,300 | $29,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 83,070 | $35,930 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 78,820 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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 far is Columbus, OH from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 74 mi and the route typically takes 1h 28m via I 70 and SR 4. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Dayton vs Columbus?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,327 in Columbus vs $43,454 in Dayton β a 50.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Columbus?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 74 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Columbus more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbus is 3.0% higher than Dayton (95.469 vs 92.694, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Columbus compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,979 in Columbus vs $136,592 in Dayton β a 80.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dayton.
City profiles: Dayton, OH Β· Columbus, OH.