Cambridge vs Dayton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cambridge
Dayton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 122.5%, with Dayton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cambridge has equivalent purchasing power to $33,708 in Dayton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Cambridge has the same purchasing power as $33,708 in Dayton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Dayton equals $166,875 in Cambridge.
Living in Cambridge vs Dayton
Housing Costs
Cambridge's housing index of 280 is higher Dayton's 46, translating to median home prices of $890,000 vs $135,000. The $755,000 difference in home prices means roughly $49,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $3,100/mo in Cambridge compared to $900/mo in Dayton, a monthly difference of $2,200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 110 in Cambridge and 98 in Dayton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $523/month in Cambridge vs $466/month in Dayton. Dayton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 126 in Cambridge and 109 in Dayton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $504 in Cambridge vs $436 in Dayton. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 118 in Cambridge 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 $103,154 in Cambridge and $43,500 in Dayton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,952 and $54,375 respectively. Cambridge residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,407/month to housing in Cambridge vs $1,015/month in Dayton. In Cambridge, median rent of $3,100/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 234 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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