Amsterdam vs Dayton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amsterdam
Dayton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 33.8%, with Dayton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amsterdam has equivalent purchasing power to $56,075 in Dayton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has the same purchasing power as $56,075 in Dayton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Dayton equals $100,313 in Amsterdam.
Living in Amsterdam vs Dayton
Housing Costs
Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is higher Dayton's 46, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $135,000. The $460,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,904 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $900/mo in Dayton, a monthly difference of $1,200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 98 in Dayton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam 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 118 in Amsterdam and 109 in Dayton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam vs $436 in Dayton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Amsterdam and 114 in Dayton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $58,000 in Amsterdam and $43,500 in Dayton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 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 $1,353/month to housing in Amsterdam vs $1,015/month in Dayton. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/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 92 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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