| Index | Clayton | Ohio | National |
| Cost of living | 92 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 83 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 94 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 98 | 93 | 100 |

The cost of living in Clayton affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Clayton is 92, which is 8% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
In Clayton, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Clayton will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Clayton an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Clayton, the median home price is 21.6% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 7.4% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Clayton come in at $110,509, which is 35.9% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Clayton, the groceries index is 2.3% lower than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Clayton, the transportation index is 6.1% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Clayton starts at 5.75% and the income tax rates start at 2.76%.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Clayton are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $119,824 | $9,985 | $2,796 | $3,595 |
| Renters | $60,042 | $5,004 | $1,401 | $1,801 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Ohio | 5.75% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Ohio | 2.76% | 3.99% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Drexel, OH | 2,369 | 79 | 21.4% |
| Dayton, OH | 145,927 | 82 | 17.9% |
| Trotwood, OH | 25,200 | 83 | 17.1% |
| Ithaca, OH | 117 | 84 | 16.2% |
| Casstown, OH | 213 | 83 | 17.0% |
| Clayton, OH | 13,585 | 92 | 8.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| South Glengarry, ON | 13,573 | n/a | |
| Bothell East, WA | 13,571 | 175 | 74.7% |
| Firestone, CO | 13,569 | 132 | 32.2% |
| Mountain Park, GA | 13,564 | 109 | 8.9% |
| Rogers, MN | 13,607 | 124 | 24.2% |
| Clayton, OH | 13,585 | 92 | 8.1% |