Moving from Dayton, OH to Long Beach, CA
Cross-country relocations like Dayton, OH β Long Beach, CA cover 2190 mi and about 38h 44m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2190 mi Β· 38h 44m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Torrance, Inglewood, Santa Ana, Irvine |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dayton | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Long Beach runs 22.5% higher than Dayton β a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (92.694 β 113.566, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Long Beach is 22.5% above Dayton β $136,592 vs $857,861 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Dayton | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 12.0" |
Climate warms by 11.6Β°F on the annual average β 53.3Β°F β 64.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 22.5% between Dayton and Long Beach (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Long Beach sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Long Beach, CA from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 2190 mi and the route typically takes 38h 44m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $136,592 in Dayton β a 528.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2190 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 Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $43,454 in Dayton β a 93.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Long Beach more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach is 22.5% higher than Dayton (113.566 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· Long Beach, CA.