Moving from Tacoma, WA to Dayton, OH
A 2354 mi cross-country move between Tacoma and Dayton is 41h 44m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2354 mi Β· 41h 44m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β SD β IA β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β SD β IA β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Kent, Renton, Bellevue, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Dayton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 92.694 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 95.388 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 72.712 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 16.6% cheaper overall in Dayton than Tacoma on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.6% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Dayton +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 12.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 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 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, DAYTON MCD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 136,741 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $43,454 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 12.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.36 |
Dayton households earn about 16.6% less than Tacoma at the median β $83,857 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
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
How much do homes cost in Dayton compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $136,592 in Dayton vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 72.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Dayton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,454 in Dayton vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 48.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Dayton, OH from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2354 mi and the route typically takes 41h 44m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Dayton more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dayton is 16.6% lower than Tacoma (92.694 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Dayton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2354 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Dayton, OH.