Is Denver, CO cheaper than Dayton, OH?

Based on cost of living data, Denver, CO is 21.8% more expensive than Dayton, OH. This translates to spending an extra $1634 per month.

What salary do I need in Denver, CO to live like I do in Dayton, OH?

If you earn $150,000 in Dayton, OH, you'd need approximately $169,613.894 in Denver, CO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Dayton, OH and Denver, CO?

Housing in Denver, CO is 54.0% more expensive than in Dayton, OH. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,190/month in Denver, CO compared to $1,228/month in Dayton, OH.

How much can I save per month by moving from Dayton, OH to Denver, CO?

Living in Denver, CO costs approximately $1634 more per month than Dayton, OH, or $19614 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Dayton, OH vs Denver, CO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Dayton, OH — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Cincinnati, OH area

Current salary in Dayton, OH

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.6K/month more in Denver, CO

$150.0K in your current city equals $169.6K in Denver, CO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Dayton-Kettering, OH area

Overall Cost

↑ 21.8%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,634

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$19.6K

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

Denver, CO

Population:716K

Cost Index:122

Median Home:$513K

Dayton, OH

The Buckeye State

136K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Denver, CO

The Centennial State

716K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Semi-arid

Notable Facts

•Mile-high city (5,280 ft)
•Outdoor recreation hub
•Major cannabis market

Major Industries

AerospaceTechnologyEnergyTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Dayton, OH vs Denver, CO

Category	Dayton, OH	Denver, CO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,110/mo	$3,248/mo	↑ $1,139more	54.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,234/mo	$1,462/mo	↑ $228more	18.5%
📦Other	$1,631/mo	$1,774/mo	↑ $144more	8.8%
🛒Groceries	$926/mo	$1,029/mo	↑ $103more	11.1%
🏥Healthcare	$568/mo	$632/mo	↑ $64.00more	11.3%
⚡All Utilities	$468/mo	$519/mo	↑ $51.22more	10.9%

🏠Housing

↑ 54.0%

Dayton, OH

$2,110

Denver, CO

$3,248

Difference

$1,139

🚗Transportation

↑ 18.5%

Dayton, OH

$1,234

Denver, CO

$1,462

Difference

$228

📦Other

↑ 8.8%

Dayton, OH

$1,631

Denver, CO

$1,774

Difference

$144

🛒Groceries

↑ 11.1%

Dayton, OH

$926

Denver, CO

$1,029

Difference

$103

🏥Healthcare

↑ 11.3%

Dayton, OH

$568

Denver, CO

$632

Difference

$64.00

⚡All Utilities

↑ 10.9%

Dayton, OH

$468

Denver, CO

$519

Difference

$51.22

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Denver, CO: Denver Head Tax ($5.75/mo, negligible)$69.00/yr (0.0%)

Net difference-$3,681/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$893

To$1,720

↑ $827

1 Bed

From$974

To$1,840

↑ $866

2 Bed

From$1,228

To$2,190

↑ $962

3 Bed

From$1,593

To$2,870

↑ $1,277

Dayton, OHZIP-level data

1BR range: $790–$1,430/mo

Denver, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,620–$2,540/mo

💡 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

$8,665

Monthly in Denver, CO

$1,729

Difference

Home Values

Dayton

Denver

$112K

Median Value

$513K

↑ +1.4%

YoY Change

↓ -4.2%

↑ +37%

5-Year Change

↑ +13%

$72K - $307K

Price Range

$352K - $933K

Homes in Denver are 358% more expensive than Dayton

Calculate payment - Dayton Calculate payment - Denver

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $2.2K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$181

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.4%

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

Denver, CO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Colorado State Tax

Effective: 4.4%

$6.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.1%

$43.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,866/month

$106.4K

Additional Tax Information

Dayton, OH Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

Property Tax:1.6%

Denver, CO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.8%

Property Tax:0.5%

💡 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.