Dayton vs Frisco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Frisco
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 30.4%, with Dayton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to $107,813 in Frisco.
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 $107,813 in Frisco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Frisco equals $52,174 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Frisco
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Frisco's 142, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $500,000. The $365,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,724 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,900/mo in Frisco, a monthly difference of $1,000.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 99 in Frisco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $470/month in Frisco. 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 Frisco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $396 in Frisco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 100 in Frisco. 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 $126,048 in Frisco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $109,607 respectively. Frisco 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 $2,941/month in Frisco. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Frisco, median rent of $1,900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 96 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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