Moving from Boulder, CO to Dayton, OH
Relocating 1214 mi from Boulder to Dayton is a 21h 57m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1214 mi · 21h 57m 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
| Boulder | Dayton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 92.694 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 95.388 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 72.712 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.9% cheaper overall in Dayton than Boulder on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.9% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Dayton +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boulder | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | 12.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 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: BOULDER, CO US, DAYTON MCD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 136,741 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $43,454 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 12.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.36 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.9% — $85,364 → $43,454 per ACS 5-year estimates (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
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Dayton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,454 in Dayton vs $85,364 in Boulder — a 49.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Dayton compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $136,592 in Dayton vs $964,531 in Boulder — a 85.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Dayton more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dayton is 11.9% lower than Boulder (92.694 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Boulder 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 1214 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Dayton, OH from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 1214 mi and the route typically takes 21h 57m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Boulder and Dayton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.3°F in Dayton vs 51.5°F in Boulder (1.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 12.3 in vs 92.8 in. Annual precipitation: 41.7 in vs 21.2 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO · Dayton, OH.