Moving from Arvada, CO to Dayton, OH
It is 1204 mi between Arvada and Dayton — roughly 21h 47m 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.
1204 mi · 21h 47m by car · OH → IN → IL → MO → KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OH → IN → IL → MO → KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, US 24 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Columbia, Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Dayton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 92.694 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 95.388 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 72.712 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.4% cheaper overall in Dayton than Arvada on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.4% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Dayton +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Arvada | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | 12.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 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: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, DAYTON MCD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 136,741 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $43,454 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 12.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.36 |
Dayton households earn about 12.4% less than Arvada at the median — $113,396 → $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 Colorado 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts 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
When is the best time to move from Arvada 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 1204 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Dayton more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dayton is 12.4% lower than Arvada (92.694 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Dayton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,454 in Dayton vs $113,396 in Arvada — a 61.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Dayton compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $136,592 in Dayton vs $616,566 in Arvada — a 77.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Arvada and Dayton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.3°F in Dayton vs 50.3°F in Arvada (3.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 12.3 in vs 75.5 in. Annual precipitation: 41.7 in vs 17.1 in.
How far is Dayton, OH from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 1204 mi and the route typically takes 21h 47m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 6 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 Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO · Dayton, OH.