Arlington vs Dayton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Dayton
The Verdict
Dayton is 20.0% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $62,500 in Dayton to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $62,500 in Dayton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Dayton equals $90,000 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Dayton
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 86 is higher Dayton's 46, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $135,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $900/mo in Dayton, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 98 in Dayton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington 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 99 in Arlington and 109 in Dayton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $436 in Dayton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington 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 $60,138 in Arlington and $43,500 in Dayton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $54,375 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,015/month in Dayton. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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