Moving from Fairfield, CA to Dayton, OH
Cross-country relocations like Fairfield, CA → Dayton, OH cover 2336 mi and about 40h 37m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2336 mi · 40h 37m by car · OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 74 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Dayton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 92.694 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 95.388 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 72.712 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 108.479 to 92.694, putting Dayton roughly 14.6% below Fairfield on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Dayton: 14.6% below Fairfield on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Dayton +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 12.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 41.7" |
Climate cools by 8.4°F on the annual average — 61.7°F → 53.3°F.
Heavy-snow city: expect 12.3 in of snowfall annually at Dayton.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, DAYTON MCD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 136,741 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $43,454 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 12.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 14.6% between Fairfield and Dayton (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California 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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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.
- 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
How much do homes cost in Dayton compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $136,592 in Dayton vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 77.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Dayton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,454 in Dayton vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 57.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield 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 2336 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Dayton more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dayton is 14.6% lower than Fairfield (92.694 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Dayton, OH from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2336 mi and the route typically takes 40h 37m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Dayton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.3°F in Dayton vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (8.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 12.3 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.7 in vs 24.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Dayton, OH.