Moving from Dayton, OH to Cleveland, OH
It is a 210 mi drive, roughly 4h 1m, between Dayton, OH and Cleveland, OH. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
210 mi · 4h 1m by car · OH
Distance & route
| Route through | OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 71, I 70, SR 4 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Columbus |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dayton | Cleveland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 93.923 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 95.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 79.434 | 100.0 |
Dayton and Cleveland sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Cleveland run about 1.3% cheaper — ZHVI $136,592 → $115,537 (2026-03).
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Cleveland -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dayton | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 24°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 81°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 33.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 53.3°F vs 52.3°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 367,523 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $39,187 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.18 |
Households in Cleveland earn about 1.3% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
OEWS occupation data not available for these MSAs.
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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Cleveland?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 210 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Cleveland more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cleveland is 1.3% higher than Dayton (93.923 vs 92.694, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Cleveland compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $115,537 in Cleveland vs $136,592 in Dayton — a 15.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Cleveland, OH from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 210 mi and the route typically takes 4h 1m via I 71 and I 70. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Dayton vs Cleveland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,187 in Cleveland vs $43,454 in Dayton — a 9.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dayton.
City profiles: Dayton, OH · Cleveland, OH.