Last updated 2026-07-10 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Below the national average overall, with housing the main reason Dayton stays affordable.
Cost of living index (US avg = 100): 85
Median 2BR rent: $1,000/mo
Housing: 63 vs 100
Groceries: 100 vs 100
Utilities: 103 vs 100
Transportation: 101 vs 100
Healthcare: 96 vs 100
Dayton offers four real seasons with cold winters and an affordable place to land in Ohio. Housing is the line item that moves your budget most, anchored here to a real median 2BR rent of about $1,000/mo.