Moving from Dayton, OH to Boulder, CO
It is 1214 mi between Dayton and Boulder — roughly 21h 57m 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.
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
| Dayton | Boulder | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 105.202 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 82.741 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 157.02 | 100.0 |
Boulder runs about 13.5% more expensive overall than Dayton — RPP 92.694 → 105.202.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $136,592 in Dayton to $964,531 in Boulder, a 13.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Boulder -2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dayton | Boulder |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | 92.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 21.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 53.3°F vs 51.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Boulder sees 92.8 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, BOULDER, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Boulder |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 106,274 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $85,364 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 28.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 36.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.42 |
Boulder households earn about 13.5% more than Dayton at the median — $43,454 → $85,364 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Boulder MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 19,760 | $91,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,640 | $47,560 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,360 | $50,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,660 | $37,440 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 17,320 | $131,150 |
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 — Boulder averages 92.8 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
Is Boulder more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Boulder is 13.5% higher than Dayton (105.202 vs 92.694, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Dayton vs Boulder?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,364 in Boulder vs $43,454 in Dayton — a 96.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Boulder compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $964,531 in Boulder vs $136,592 in Dayton — a 606.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Boulder?
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 Boulder, CO from Dayton, OH?
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 Dayton and Boulder?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 51.5°F in Boulder vs 53.3°F in Dayton (1.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 92.8 in vs 12.3 in. Annual precipitation: 21.2 in vs 41.7 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dayton.
City profiles: Dayton, OH · Boulder, CO.