Moving from Dayton, OH to Des Moines, IA
A move from Dayton, OH to Des Moines, IA covers 583 mi and around 10h 60m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
583 mi · 10h 60m by car · IA → IL → IN → OH
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → IL → IN → OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 74, I 80, US 51 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Peoria |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dayton | Des Moines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 91.701 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 84.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 84.741 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Des Moines and Dayton is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Des Moines is 1.1% above Dayton — $136,592 vs $208,166 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dayton | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 36.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Dayton (53.3°F) and Des Moines (50.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Des Moines averages 36.5 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, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.36 |
Median household income in Des Moines is 1.1% above Dayton ($43,454 vs $63,966, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Des Moines MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 48,550 | $46,670 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 35,680 | $36,420 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 34,890 | $78,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,360 | $45,430 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 30,210 | $30,100 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Des Moines averages 36.5 in annually vs 12.3 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Tornado season runs April through June — identify a safe room or interior space early.
- 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 Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Des Moines?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 583 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Des Moines compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,166 in Des Moines vs $136,592 in Dayton — a 52.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Des Moines more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 1.1% lower than Dayton (91.701 vs 92.694, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Dayton and Des Moines?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.9°F in Des Moines vs 53.3°F in Dayton (2.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 36.5 in vs 12.3 in. Annual precipitation: 36.6 in vs 41.7 in.
How far is Des Moines, IA from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 583 mi and the route typically takes 10h 60m via I 74 and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Dayton vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $43,454 in Dayton — a 47.2% higher 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 · Des Moines, IA.