Moving from Dayton, OH to Arvada, CO
Relocating 1204 mi from Dayton to Arvada is a 21h 47m 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.
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
| Dayton | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 14.1% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 14.1% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $136,592 to $616,566 moving to Arvada.
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dayton | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 17.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Dayton (53.3°F) and Arvada (50.3°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Arvada averages 75.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.47 |
Expect median household income to rise 14.1% — $43,454 → $113,396 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arvada MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Arvada averages 75.5 in annually vs 12.3 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Dayton and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 53.3°F in Dayton (3.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 12.3 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 41.7 in.
How does household income compare in Dayton vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $43,454 in Dayton — a 161.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $136,592 in Dayton — a 351.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Arvada, CO from Dayton, OH?
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.
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Arvada?
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 Arvada more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 14.1% higher than Dayton (105.782 vs 92.694, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dayton.
City profiles: Dayton, OH · Arvada, CO.