Moving from San Francisco, CA to Dayton, OH
A 2389 mi cross-country move between San Francisco and Dayton is 42h 29m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 10 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.
2389 mi · 42h 29m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → MO → IL → IN → OH
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → MO → IL → IN → OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 36, I 74 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | Dayton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 92.694 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 95.388 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 72.712 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 19.8% moving from San Francisco to Dayton — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,356,662 in San Francisco to $136,592 in Dayton, a 19.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Dayton +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Francisco | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 62°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 12.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 41.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 56.2°F vs 53.3°F per NOAA 1991–2020 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: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, DAYTON MCD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 136,741 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $43,454 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 12.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.36 |
Dayton households earn about 19.8% less than San Francisco at the median — $141,446 → $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 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
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 San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $136,592 in Dayton vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco — a 89.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Dayton, OH from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 2389 mi and the route typically takes 42h 29m via I 80 and US 36. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Dayton more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dayton is 19.8% lower than San Francisco (92.694 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between San Francisco and Dayton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.3°F in Dayton vs 56.2°F in San Francisco (2.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 12.3 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.7 in vs 20.6 in.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Dayton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,454 in Dayton vs $141,446 in San Francisco — a 69.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco 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 2389 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA · Dayton, OH.