City Comparison

Dayton vs Deltona

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Dayton

Ohio
80
Very Affordable
$135,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$43,500
Median Income

Deltona

Florida
95
Below Average
$303,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$73,000
Median Income

The Verdict

15.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.8%, with Dayton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to $89,063 in Deltona.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
46
Dayton
92
Deltona
Groceries
98
Dayton
104
Deltona
Utilities
109
Dayton
101
Deltona
Transportation
100
Dayton
102
Deltona
Healthcare
114
Dayton
99
Deltona

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $89,063 in Deltona.

Conversely, $75,000 in Deltona equals $63,158 in Dayton.

Living in Dayton vs Deltona

Housing Costs

Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Deltona's 92, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $303,000. The $168,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,920 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,500/mo in Deltona, a monthly difference of $600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 104 in Deltona. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $494/month in Deltona. Dayton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Dayton and 101 in Deltona. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $404 in Deltona. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 99 in Deltona. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $43,500 in Dayton and $73,000 in Deltona. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $76,842 respectively. Deltona residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $1,703/month in Deltona. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Deltona, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dayton is 15.8% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $89,063 in Deltona, based on the cost of living difference.
Dayton's housing index is 46 with median homes at $135,000, while Deltona's is 92 with median homes at $303,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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