Arlington vs Dayton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Dayton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 105.0%, with Dayton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $36,585 in Dayton.
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 $36,585 in Dayton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Dayton equals $153,750 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Dayton
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Dayton's 46, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $135,000. The $605,000 difference in home prices means roughly $39,324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $900/mo in Dayton, a monthly difference of $1,450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 98 in Dayton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $466/month in Dayton. Dayton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 109 in Dayton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $436 in Dayton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 114 in Dayton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $43,500 in Dayton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 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 $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,015/month in Dayton. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/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 203 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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