Moving from Dayton, OH to St. Louis, MO
Moving from Dayton, OH to St. Louis, MO covers 356 mi and about 6h 50m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
356 mi Β· 6h 50m by car Β· MO β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 55 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dayton | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Dayton (92.694) and St. Louis (95.088) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Dayton | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 43.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.03 |
Median household income in St. Louis is 2.6% above Dayton ($43,454 vs $55,279, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- Tornadoes are common April through June 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is St. Louis, MO from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 356 mi and the route typically takes 6h 50m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Dayton to St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 356 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 St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $43,454 in Dayton β a 27.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 2.6% higher than Dayton (95.088 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· St. Louis, MO.