Moving from Dayton, OH to Denton, TX
The drive from Dayton, OH to Denton, TX runs 991 mi β about 18h 20m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
991 mi Β· 18h 20m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 70, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Irving, Frisco, Mckinney, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dayton | Denton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 11.2% pricier overall in Denton than Dayton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Denton typical home at $354,135 is 11.2% above Dayton at $136,592 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Denton -4.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Dayton | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 38.4" |
Climate warms by 12.1Β°F on the annual average β 53.3Β°F β 65.4Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, DENTON 2 SE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 146,987 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $73,719 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 11.2% between Dayton and Denton (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denton average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Denton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 991 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Dayton vs Denton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,719 in Denton vs $43,454 in Dayton β a 69.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Denton compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $354,135 in Denton vs $136,592 in Dayton β a 159.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Denton, TX from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 991 mi and the route typically takes 18h 20m via I 44 and I 70. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Denton more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denton is 11.2% higher than Dayton (103.09 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 Β· Denton, TX.