Moving from Dayton, OH to Rialto, CA
A 2134 mi cross-country move between Dayton and Rialto is 37h 35m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2134 mi · 37h 35m by car · OH → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Springfield, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dayton | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 14.8% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 14.8% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $136,592 to $588,566 moving to Rialto.
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dayton | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 9.9" |
Annual temperature rises 13.3°F moving to Rialto per NOAA normals.
Rialto gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 3.87 |
Rialto households earn about 14.8% more than Dayton at the median — $43,454 → $85,521 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rialto MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Rialto average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Rialto sees only 9.9 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 (13.3°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
How far is Rialto, CA from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 2134 mi and the route typically takes 37h 35m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Dayton vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $43,454 in Dayton — a 96.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $136,592 in Dayton — a 330.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Rialto?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2134 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Dayton and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 53.3°F in Dayton (13.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 12.3 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 in vs 41.7 in.
Is Rialto more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 14.8% higher than Dayton (106.442 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 · Rialto, CA.