College Station vs Dayton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
College Station
Dayton
The Verdict
Dayton is 8.8% less expensive than College Station overall. A household earning $75,000 in College Station would need approximately $68,966 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 College Station has the same purchasing power as $68,966 in Dayton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Dayton equals $81,563 in College Station.
Living in College Station vs Dayton
Housing Costs
College Station's housing index of 82 is higher Dayton's 46, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $135,000. The $179,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,640 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in College Station compared to $900/mo in Dayton, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 98 in Dayton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station 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 96 in College Station and 109 in Dayton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station 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 90 in College Station 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 $50,900 in College Station and $43,500 in Dayton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 and $54,375 respectively. College Station residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,188/month to housing in College Station vs $1,015/month in Dayton. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/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 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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