Moving from Dayton, OH to Westminster, CO
It is 1199 mi between Dayton and Westminster — roughly 21h 39m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1199 mi · 21h 39m by car · OH → IN → IL → MO → KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OH → IN → IL → MO → KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, US 24 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Columbia, Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dayton | Westminster | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 14.1% 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 14.1% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $136,592 to $527,654 moving to Westminster.
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Westminster -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dayton | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 14.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Dayton (53.3°F) and Westminster (52.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Westminster averages 44.8 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 115,546 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $96,145 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 29.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.41 |
Westminster households earn about 14.1% more than Dayton at the median — $43,454 → $96,145 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Westminster MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Westminster averages 44.8 in annually vs 12.3 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Westminster average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Westminster sees only 14.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Dayton and Westminster?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.4°F in Westminster vs 53.3°F in Dayton (0.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 44.8 in vs 12.3 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 41.7 in.
Is Westminster more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Westminster is 14.1% higher than Dayton (105.782 vs 92.694, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Westminster, CO from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 1199 mi and the route typically takes 21h 39m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Westminster?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1199 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Dayton vs Westminster?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,145 in Westminster vs $43,454 in Dayton — a 121.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Westminster compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $527,654 in Westminster vs $136,592 in Dayton — a 286.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dayton.
City profiles: Dayton, OH · Westminster, CO.