Moving from Dayton, OH to Los Angeles, CA
Cross-country relocations like Dayton, OH → Los Angeles, CA cover 2190 mi and about 38h 42m 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 · 38h 42m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dayton | Los Angeles | 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 |
You are looking at a 22.5% pricier overall price level — 92.694 → 113.566 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Los Angeles typical home at $952,183 is 22.5% above Dayton at $136,592 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dayton | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 48°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 78°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 14.1" |
Climate warms by 10.5°F on the annual average — 53.3°F → 63.8°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Los Angeles sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 22.5% between Dayton and Los Angeles (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles 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 — 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
- 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: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 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 (10.5°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 — 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
What is the climate difference between Dayton and Los Angeles?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.8°F in Los Angeles vs 53.3°F in Dayton (10.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 12.3 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 41.7 in.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 2190 mi and the route typically takes 38h 42m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% 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 — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 22.5% higher than Dayton (113.566 vs 92.694, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Dayton vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $43,454 in Dayton — a 84.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $136,592 in Dayton — a 597.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dayton.
City profiles: Dayton, OH · Los Angeles, CA.