Best overall value
Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Dayton
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Dayton
Moving from Des Moines to Dayton means adjusting to a different pace of life โ and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Des Moines than in Dayton, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Des Moines compares to Dayton so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Des Moines | Dayton | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,150 | $925 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $135,815 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $62,673 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,891 | $1,593 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $3,788 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 6.8% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 7.5% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 3.5% |
- Rent prices in Dayton are 20% lower than in Des Moines, which means youโll have more money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Dayton.
Home prices in Dayton are 29.4% lower than in Des Moines. - Income in Dayton is 7.1% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Dayton include Morgan Linen & Uniform Services, Premier Physicians, and Maple Timber Acquisition LLC.
- The cost of living for a single person in Dayton is 15.8% lower than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family in Dayton is 13.5% lower than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Dayton is 15.25% higher than in Des Moines.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in Dayton, since the cityโs sales taxes in Dayton are 7.14% higher than in Des Moines.
- One perk of moving to Dayton is paying less in state income taxes, which are 20.45% lower than in Des Moines.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,527.23 in Dayton to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Dayton
| Dayton | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,644 | 699,292 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 47 | 39 |
| Crime Index | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Safety Index | 40.68 | 57.8 |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- Dayton's population is about 80% less than Des Moines.
- Dayton's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
- Dayton and Des Moines are similarily walkable.
- With a score of 47 out of 100, Dayton is more bike-friendly than Des Moines, which has a score of 39 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Dayton and Des Moines have a similar crime rate.
- Dayton is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 40.68 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Dayton is moderate, and in Des Moines it's good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Dayton move
- Weather: September, June and May are the best months to move to Dayton.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company youโll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if youโre dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Ohio moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Ohio does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Dayton. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Opt for cost-free Released Value Protection from movers, offering minimal coverage with a maximum liability of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Dayton
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Gem City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Dayton.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Oakwood
- Centerville
- Springboro
- Five Points
- Bellbrook
Best neighborhoods for families
- Downtown
- Webster Station
- South Park
- Five Oaks
- Gratton Hill
Things to do in Dayton
After settling into your new Ohio home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Dayton has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: Dayton is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the National Museum of the US Air Force, America's Packard Museum - The Citizens Motorcar Co., Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Dayton International Peace Museum, and British Transportation Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Carriage Hill MetroPark, RiverScape MetroPark, and Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark โ among other sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Dayton Dragons (Baseball-Midwest League) and Wright State Raiders (Horizon League) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Dayton?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Dayton is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Des Moines.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Dayton?
Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Dayton in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Dayton take?
The 593-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Dayton, OH, takes one to six days. Some Des Moines movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Dayton.
