Baltimore vs Dayton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Baltimore
Dayton
The Verdict
Dayton is 32.5% less expensive than Baltimore overall. A household earning $75,000 in Baltimore would need approximately $56,604 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 Baltimore has the same purchasing power as $56,604 in Dayton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Dayton equals $99,375 in Baltimore.
Living in Baltimore vs Dayton
Housing Costs
Baltimore's housing index of 107 is higher Dayton's 46, translating to median home prices of $200,000 vs $135,000. The $65,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,224 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Baltimore compared to $900/mo in Dayton, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Baltimore and 98 in Dayton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Baltimore 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 110 in Baltimore and 109 in Dayton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Baltimore vs $436 in Dayton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 101 in Baltimore and 114 in Dayton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $52,164 in Baltimore and $43,500 in Dayton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,211 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 $1,217/month to housing in Baltimore vs $1,015/month in Dayton. In Baltimore, median rent of $1,300/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 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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