Moving from El Paso, TX to Dayton, OH
A 1514 mi cross-country move between El Paso and Dayton is 28h 7m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 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.
1514 mi · 28h 7m by car · TX → NM → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 70, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Norman, Tulsa, Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Dayton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 92.694 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 95.388 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 72.712 | 100.0 |
El Paso and Dayton sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $234,775 in El Paso to $136,592 in Dayton, a 3.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Dayton +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | 12.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 41.7" |
Annual temperature drops 12.9°F moving to Dayton per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Dayton sees 12.3 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, DAYTON MCD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 136,741 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $43,454 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 12.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.36 |
Dayton households earn about 3.1% less than El Paso at the median — $58,734 → $43,454 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Dayton averages 12.3 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.9°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Ohio after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between El Paso and Dayton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.3°F in Dayton vs 66.2°F in El Paso (12.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 12.3 in vs 2.8 in. Annual precipitation: 41.7 in vs 8.8 in.
Is Dayton more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dayton is 3.1% higher than El Paso (92.694 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Dayton, OH from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 1514 mi and the route typically takes 28h 7m via I 44 and I 70. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs Dayton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,454 in Dayton vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 26.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from El Paso to Dayton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1514 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Dayton compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $136,592 in Dayton vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 41.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · Dayton, OH.