Moving from Dayton, OH to Tuscaloosa, AL
It is 573 mi between Dayton and Tuscaloosa β roughly 10h 44m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
573 mi Β· 10h 44m by car Β· OH β KY β TN β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β KY β TN β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 75, SR 4 |
| Major cities en route | Cincinnati, Murfreesboro, Huntsville, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dayton | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.4% moving from Dayton to Tuscaloosa β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $136,592 in Dayton to $228,947 in Tuscaloosa, a 5.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Dayton | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 57.3" |
Annual temperature rises 11.0Β°F moving to Tuscaloosa per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.68 |
Households in Tuscaloosa earn about 5.4% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tuscaloosa average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $136,592 in Dayton β a 67.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 5.4% lower than Dayton (87.722 vs 92.694, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Dayton vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $43,454 in Dayton β a 11.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 573 mi and the route typically takes 10h 44m via I 65 and I 75. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 573 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· Tuscaloosa, AL.