Moving from Odessa, TX to Dayton, OH
It is 1294 mi between Odessa and Dayton — roughly 23h 36m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1294 mi · 23h 36m by car · OH → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OH → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 50, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Springfield, Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Oklahoma City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Dayton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 92.694 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 95.388 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 72.712 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.3% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Dayton +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Odessa | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 12.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 41.7" |
Annual temperature drops 11.1°F moving to Dayton per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 12.3 in of snowfall annually at Dayton.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, DAYTON MCD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 136,741 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $43,454 |
| Median age | 31 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 12.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.36 |
Dayton households earn about 1.3% less than Odessa at the median — $73,030 → $43,454 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.1°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Ohio after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Dayton compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $136,592 in Dayton vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 45.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Dayton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,454 in Dayton vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 40.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Odessa and Dayton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.3°F in Dayton vs 64.4°F in Odessa (11.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 12.3 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 41.7 in vs 12.3 in.
How far is Dayton, OH from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 1294 mi and the route typically takes 23h 36m via I 44 and US 50. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Dayton more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dayton is 1.3% lower than Odessa (92.694 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Odessa 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 1294 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 Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX · Dayton, OH.