Moving from Fargo, ND to Dayton, OH
It is 941 mi between Fargo and Dayton β roughly 17h 36m 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.
941 mi Β· 17h 36m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Chicago, Joliet, Naperville, Aurora, Elgin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fargo | Dayton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 92.694 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 95.388 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 72.712 | 100.0 |
Fargo and Dayton sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $314,973 in Fargo to $136,592 in Dayton, a 2.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, Dayton +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 12.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 41.7" |
Annual temperature rises 11.9Β°F moving to Dayton per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Dayton sees 12.3 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, DAYTON MCD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 136,741 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $43,454 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 12.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.36 |
Dayton households earn about 2.0% less than Fargo at the median β $66,029 β $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 North Dakota 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 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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
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 β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 does household income compare in Fargo vs Dayton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,454 in Dayton vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 34.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Dayton compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $136,592 in Dayton vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 56.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Dayton more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dayton is 2.0% higher than Fargo (92.694 vs 90.871, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Dayton, OH from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 941 mi and the route typically takes 17h 36m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fargo to Dayton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 941 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 Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· Dayton, OH.