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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Dayton, OH โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Cincinnati, OH area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $26.33/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $149.7K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from Dayton-Kettering, OH area
Overall Cost
โ†“ 0.4%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$26.33
Savings
Annual Impact
$316
Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Dayton, OH

Population:136K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$112K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$263K

Dayton, OH

The Buckeye State

136K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Ohio, this city has a population of 136K residents.

Columbus, OH

The Buckeye State

906K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Ohio, this city has a population of 906K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Dayton, OH vs Columbus, OH

๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 10.7%
Dayton, OH
$1,234
Columbus, OH
$1,366
Difference
$132
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†“ 4.5%
Dayton, OH
$1,631
Columbus, OH
$1,557
Difference
$74.00
less
๐Ÿ Housing
โ†“ 2.7%
Dayton, OH
$2,110
Columbus, OH
$2,053
Difference
$56.75
less
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 4.7%
Dayton, OH
$926
Columbus, OH
$969
Difference
$43.19
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 6.9%
Dayton, OH
$568
Columbus, OH
$607
Difference
$39.21
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†“ 0.7%
Dayton, OH
$468
Columbus, OH
$464
Difference
$3.42
less

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Local Income Taxes

Dayton, OH: Dayton Municipal Income Tax$3,750/yr (2.5%)
Columbus, OH: Columbus Municipal Income Tax$3,750/yr (2.5%)
Net difference$0/yr

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$893
To$1,020
โ†‘ $127
1 Bed
From$974
To$1,100
โ†‘ $126
2 Bed
From$1,228
To$1,315
โ†‘ $87.00
3 Bed
From$1,593
To$1,575
โ†“ $18.00
Dayton, OHZIP-level data

1BR range: $790โ€“$1,430/mo

Columbus, OHZIP-level data

1BR range: $870โ€“$1,790/mo

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,936
Monthly in Dayton, OH
$7,017
Monthly in Columbus, OH
$80.49
Difference

Home Values

Dayton
Columbus
$112K
Median Value
$263K
โ†‘ +1.4%
YoY Change
โ†“ -0.4%
โ†‘ +37%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +28.8%
$72K - $307K
Price Range
$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 135% more expensive than Dayton

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†’ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Dayton, OH

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Ohio State Tax
Effective: 3.0%
$4.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 27.6%
$41.4K
Take-Home Pay
$9,047/month
$108.6K

Columbus, OH

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Ohio State Tax
Effective: 3.0%
$4.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 27.6%
$41.4K
Take-Home Pay
$9,047/month
$108.6K

Additional Tax Information

Dayton, OH Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%
Property Tax:1.6%

Columbus, OH Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%
Property Tax:1.6%

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Dayton
Columbus
52 Moderate
Air Quality
53 Moderate
44.8%
Good Air Days
41.3%
96 High
Climate Risk
98 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+3.1ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+3.1ยฐF
29 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
18 days
โ–ฒ+3.1ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+3.1ยฐF
29 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
18 days

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