Moving from Dayton, OH to Sioux Falls, SD
The drive from Dayton, OH to Sioux Falls, SD runs 865 mi β about 15h 58m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
865 mi Β· 15h 58m by car Β· SD β IA β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | SD β IA β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 74, US 51 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Peoria |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dayton | Sioux Falls | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 90.631 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 80.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 95.472 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 77.605 | 100.0 |
Sioux Falls and Dayton are close on the overall BEA RPP (92.694 vs 90.631); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Sioux Falls typical home at $329,723 is 2.2% above Dayton at $136,592 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Sioux Falls +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Dayton | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 7Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 28.3" |
Climate cools by 6.7Β°F on the annual average β 53.3Β°F β 46.6Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, SIOUX FALLS WFO AP, SD US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 197,642 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $74,714 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.39 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 2.2% between Dayton and Sioux Falls (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sioux Falls MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,940 | $40,110 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 16,710 | $67,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,250 | $37,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,420 | $29,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,080 | $39,450 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and South Dakota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check South Dakota'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
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is Sioux Falls, SD from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 865 mi and the route typically takes 15h 58m via I 80 and I 74. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Sioux Falls more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sioux Falls is 2.2% lower than Dayton (90.631 vs 92.694, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Sioux Falls compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,723 in Sioux Falls vs $136,592 in Dayton β a 141.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Sioux Falls?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 865 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 Sioux Falls?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,714 in Sioux Falls vs $43,454 in Dayton β a 71.9% 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 Β· Sioux Falls, SD.