Dayton vs Fort Worth

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 $89,063 in Fort Worth.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Worth equals $63,158 in Dayton.

Living in Dayton vs Fort Worth

Housing Costs

Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Fort Worth's 87, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $270,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,400/mo in Fort Worth, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 96 in Fort Worth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $456/month in Fort Worth. 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 99 in Fort Worth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $396 in Fort Worth. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 100 in Fort Worth. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $62,187 in Fort Worth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $65,460 respectively. Fort Worth 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 $1,451/month in Fort Worth. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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