Moving from Dayton, OH to Springfield, MO
It is 569 mi between Dayton and Springfield β roughly 10h 50m 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.
569 mi Β· 10h 50m by car Β· MO β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 44, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dayton | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 88.585 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 85.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 94.193 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 65.568 | 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
4.4% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Dayton | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 46.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 169,432 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $45,984 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 18.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.13 |
Households in Springfield earn about 4.4% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Springfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 28,080 | $38,030 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 24,360 | $38,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 20,070 | $28,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,640 | $31,070 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,940 | $63,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,870 in Springfield vs $136,592 in Dayton β a 77.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Dayton vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $43,454 in Dayton β a 5.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 569 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Springfield more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 4.4% lower than Dayton (88.585 vs 92.694, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Springfield, MO from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 569 mi and the route typically takes 10h 50m via I 70 and I 44. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dayton.
City profiles: Dayton, OH Β· Springfield, MO.