Moving from St. Paul, MN to Dayton, OH
It is 692 mi between St. Paul and Dayton β roughly 13h 1m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
692 mi Β· 13h 1m by car Β· MN β WI β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β WI β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 65, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, Madison, Rockford, Elgin, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | Dayton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 92.694 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 95.388 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 72.712 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.6% cheaper overall in Dayton than St. Paul on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul β, Dayton +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Paul | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 12.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 41.7" |
Annual temperature rises 6.8Β°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 1991β2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, DAYTON MCD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 136,741 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $43,454 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 12.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.36 |
Dayton households earn about 11.6% less than St. Paul at the median β $73,055 β $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 Minnesota 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 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
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 β 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
Is Dayton more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dayton is 11.6% lower than St. Paul (92.694 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in St. Paul vs Dayton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,454 in Dayton vs $73,055 in St. Paul β a 40.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Dayton, OH from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 692 mi and the route typically takes 13h 1m via I 94 and I 65. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Dayton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 692 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN Β· Dayton, OH.