Moving from Dayton, OH to Pasadena, CA
A 2170 mi cross-country move between Dayton and Pasadena is 38h 16m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 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.
2170 mi · 38h 16m by car · OH → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| 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 | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Pasadena is 22.5% more expensive than Dayton on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $136,592 in Dayton to $1,209,228 in Pasadena, a 22.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dayton | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 20.1" |
Annual temperature rises 12.7°F moving to Pasadena per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Pasadena sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.39 |
Pasadena households earn about 22.5% more than Dayton at the median — $43,454 → $103,778 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pasadena MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.7°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Pasadena, CA from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 2170 mi and the route typically takes 38h 16m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2170 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Dayton vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $43,454 in Dayton — a 138.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Dayton and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 53.3°F in Dayton (12.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 12.3 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 41.7 in.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 22.5% higher than Dayton (113.566 vs 92.694, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $136,592 in Dayton — a 785.3% 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 · Pasadena, CA.