Moving from Dayton, OH to Goodyear, AZ
A 1888 mi cross-country move between Dayton and Goodyear is 33h 38m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1888 mi · 33h 38m by car · OH → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | OH → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Springfield, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dayton | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 11.5% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.5% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $136,592 to $469,424 moving to Goodyear.
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dayton | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 107°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 7.4" |
Expect 20.6°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Goodyear gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.87 |
Goodyear households earn about 11.5% more than Dayton at the median — $43,454 → $101,814 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Goodyear MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (20.6°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 1888 mi and the route typically takes 33h 38m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Dayton vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $43,454 in Dayton — a 134.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Dayton and Goodyear?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Goodyear vs 53.3°F in Dayton (20.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 12.3 in. Annual precipitation: 7.4 in vs 41.7 in.
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $136,592 in Dayton — a 243.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1888 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Goodyear more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 11.5% higher than Dayton (103.316 vs 92.694, 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 Dayton.
City profiles: Dayton, OH · Goodyear, AZ.