Champaign vs Dayton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Champaign
Dayton
The Verdict
Dayton is 1.3% less expensive than Champaign overall. A household earning $75,000 in Champaign would need approximately $74,074 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 Champaign has the same purchasing power as $74,074 in Dayton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Dayton equals $75,938 in Champaign.
Living in Champaign vs Dayton
Housing Costs
Champaign's housing index of 83 is higher Dayton's 46, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $135,000. The $80,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $900/mo in Dayton, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 98 in Dayton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign 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 106 in Champaign and 109 in Dayton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $436 in Dayton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign 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 $56,100 in Champaign and $43,500 in Dayton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $54,375 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,015/month in Dayton. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/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 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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