City Comparison

Dayton vs Glendale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Dayton

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

Glendale

Arizona
113
Above Average
$405,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$70,100
Median Income

The Verdict

29.2%

Living in Dayton costs 29.2% less than Glendale. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $105,938 in Glendale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
46
Dayton
119
Glendale
Groceries
98
Dayton
103
Glendale
Utilities
109
Dayton
98
Glendale
Transportation
100
Dayton
103
Glendale
Healthcare
114
Dayton
94
Glendale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $105,938 in Glendale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Glendale equals $53,097 in Dayton.

Living in Dayton vs Glendale

Housing Costs

Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Glendale's 119, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $405,000. The $270,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,556 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,400/mo in Glendale, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 103 in Glendale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $489/month in Glendale. 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 98 in Glendale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $392 in Glendale. 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 94 in Glendale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $70,100 in Glendale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $62,035 respectively. Glendale 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 $1,636/month in Glendale. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Glendale, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 73 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dayton is 29.2% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $105,938 in Glendale, based on the cost of living difference.
Dayton's housing index is 46 with median homes at $135,000, while Glendale's is 119 with median homes at $405,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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