| Index | Dayton | Ohio | National |
| Cost of living | 82 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 50 | 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 Dayton 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 Dayton is 82, which is 18% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
It's not uncommon for housing expenses to eat up a substantial portion of your income, oten exceeding 30%. The good news is that Dayton stands out by reporting housing costs that are 50% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more affordable compared to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more manageable portion of their income to housing, resulting in greater financial flexibility.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 22 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Dayton. The feedback revealed that 45% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 55% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Dayton affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Dayton, the median home price is 60.8% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 24.9% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Dayton boasting a median household income of $52,130, 35.9% lower than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Dayton, the housing index is 50% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Dayton, the groceries index registers 2.3% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
The Dayton cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| 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 | $77,389 | $6,449 | $1,806 | $2,322 |
| Renters | $32,440 | $2,703 | $757 | $973 |
| 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. |
| Centerville village, OH | 70 | 78 | 21.7% |
| Drexel, OH | 2,369 | 79 | 21.4% |
| Highland Holiday, OH | 704 | 79 | 21.1% |
| Trotwood, OH | 25,200 | 83 | 17.1% |
| New Lebanon, OH | 4,008 | 84 | 16.0% |
| Dayton, OH | 145,927 | 82 | 17.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Syracuse, NY | 146,063 | 95 | 4.5% |
| Fullerton, CA | 146,103 | 175 | 75.2% |
| Murfreesboro, TN | 146,103 | 109 | 9.1% |
| Kelowna, BC | 145,612 | n/a | |
| Midland, TX | 145,324 | 108 | 7.7% |
| Dayton, OH | 145,927 | 82 | 17.9% |
Here are the best places to live in Ohio
These are the largest cities in Ohio
Most Dangerous Cities In The US
Safest Cities In The US