Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Dayton, OH
A 1631 mi cross-country move between Salt Lake City and Dayton is 28h 57m 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.
1631 mi · 28h 57m by car · UT → WY → NE → IA → MO → IL → IN → OH
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → WY → NE → IA → MO → IL → IN → OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 36, I 74 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Lincoln, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Dayton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 92.694 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 95.388 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 72.712 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.1% cheaper overall in Dayton than Salt Lake City on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.1% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Dayton +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 12.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 41.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 12.3 in of snowfall annually at Dayton.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, DAYTON MCD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 136,741 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $43,454 |
| Median age | 33 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 12.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.36 |
Dayton households earn about 8.1% less than Salt Lake City at the median — $74,925 → $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 Utah 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- 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 does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Dayton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,454 in Dayton vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City — a 42.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake City 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 1631 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Salt Lake City and Dayton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.3°F in Dayton vs 55.8°F in Salt Lake City (2.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 12.3 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.7 in vs 17.7 in.
How far is Dayton, OH from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 1631 mi and the route typically takes 28h 57m via I 80 and US 36. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Dayton more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dayton is 8.1% lower than Salt Lake City (92.694 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Dayton compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $136,592 in Dayton vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City — a 76.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT · Dayton, OH.