Albany vs Dayton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albany
Dayton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 23.8%, with Dayton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Albany has equivalent purchasing power to $60,606 in Dayton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Albany has the same purchasing power as $60,606 in Dayton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Dayton equals $92,813 in Albany.
Living in Albany vs Dayton
Housing Costs
Albany's housing index of 93 is higher Dayton's 46, translating to median home prices of $220,000 vs $135,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Albany compared to $900/mo in Dayton, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Albany and 98 in Dayton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Albany vs $466/month in Dayton. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Albany and 109 in Dayton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Albany vs $436 in Dayton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Albany and 114 in Dayton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,098 in Albany and $43,500 in Dayton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,533 and $54,375 respectively. Dayton residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,006/month to housing in Albany vs $1,015/month in Dayton. In Albany, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases