Moving from Dayton, OH to Omaha, NE
It is 724 mi between Dayton and Omaha β roughly 13h 33m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
724 mi Β· 13h 33m by car Β· NE β IA β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β IA β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 74, US 51 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Peoria |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dayton | Omaha | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 91.911 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 76.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 94.063 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 86.404 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.8% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Omaha +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Dayton | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, OMAHA #1, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 488,197 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $72,708 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 25.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.44 |
Omaha households earn about 0.8% more than Dayton at the median β $43,454 β $72,708 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Omaha MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 58,590 | $42,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 45,020 | $30,130 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 43,680 | $35,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 41,730 | $39,370 |
| Management Occupations | 37,950 | $104,990 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and Nebraska
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nebraska'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
- Tornado season peaks May through July β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Nebraska after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Dayton vs Omaha?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $72,708 in Omaha vs $43,454 in Dayton β a 67.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Omaha, NE from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 724 mi and the route typically takes 13h 33m via I 80 and I 74. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Omaha compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $294,189 in Omaha vs $136,592 in Dayton β a 115.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Omaha more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Omaha is 0.8% lower than Dayton (91.911 vs 92.694, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Omaha?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 724 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dayton.
City profiles: Dayton, OH Β· Omaha, NE.