Dayton vs Durham
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Durham
The Verdict
Living in Dayton costs 20.8% less than Durham. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $94,688 in Durham.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $94,688 in Durham.
Conversely, $75,000 in Durham equals $59,406 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Durham
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Durham's 104, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $340,000. The $205,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,400/mo in Durham, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 100 in Durham. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $475/month in Durham. 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 109 in Dayton and 93 in Durham. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $372 in Durham. 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 114 in Dayton and 108 in Durham. 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 $43,500 in Dayton and $57,738 in Durham. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $57,166 respectively. Durham 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 $1,347/month in Durham. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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