Dayton vs Fresno
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Dayton
Fresno
💡 The Verdict
Dayton is 19% cheaper than Fresno overall. A $75,000 salary in Dayton is equivalent to $92,241 in Fresno.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Dayton (left) vs Fresno (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Dayton versus Fresno. Differences shown from Dayton perspective.
| Item | Dayton | Fresno | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,070/mo | $930/mo | +$140.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,540/mo | $1,300/mo | +$240.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,170/mo | $1,660/mo | +$510.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.26 | $2.80 | $-0.54 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.17 | $3.98 | $-0.81 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.76 | $3.27 | $-0.51 |
| Coffee (latte) | $4.79 | $5.81 | $-1.02 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.08 | $3.34 | $-0.26 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14.76 | $14.87 | $-0.11 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $92,241 in Fresno.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fresno equals $60,981 in Dayton.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $2025 difference is driven by California having a higher state income tax rate. Ohio details → · California details →
Reading These Numbers: Dayton (87) vs Fresno (107)
Dayton at 87 is 13% below the US average, while Fresno at 107 is 7% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Dayton, the composite index of 87 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 112, followed by groceries (81), utilities (84), transportation (90), and healthcare (95). Housing is the primary cost driver here.
For renters: With median rents of $1,540/mo in Dayton and $1,300/mo in Fresno, the annual rent difference is approximately $2,880.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $14,400.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $7,000.0 difference in median home prices between Dayton and Fresno translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Dayton vs Fresno
Choosing between Dayton and Fresno involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
The cost gap between Dayton and Fresno reflects thousands of individual pricing differences across housing markets, grocery chains, utility providers, and healthcare networks. No two households experience the same effective cost of living even in the same city, which is why the category breakdown matters more than the headline number. Adjust the lifestyle weighting sliders above to see how your spending priorities shift the comparison between these specific metros.