City Comparison

Dayton vs Green Bay

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Dayton

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

Green Bay

Wisconsin
86
Below Average
$235,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$55,200
Median Income

The Verdict

7.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.0%, with Dayton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to $80,625 in Green Bay.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
46
Dayton
72
Green Bay
Groceries
98
Dayton
98
Green Bay
Utilities
109
Dayton
84
Green Bay
Transportation
100
Dayton
102
Green Bay
Healthcare
114
Dayton
96
Green Bay

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $80,625 in Green Bay.

Conversely, $75,000 in Green Bay equals $69,767 in Dayton.

Living in Dayton vs Green Bay

Housing Costs

Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Green Bay's 72, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $235,000. The $100,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,504 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $950/mo in Green Bay, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 98 in Green Bay. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $466/month in Green Bay. 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 84 in Green Bay. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $336 in Green Bay. 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 96 in Green Bay. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $55,200 in Green Bay. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $64,186 respectively. Green Bay 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 $1,288/month in Green Bay. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dayton is 7.0% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 86.
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,625 in Green Bay, based on the cost of living difference.
Dayton's housing index is 46 with median homes at $135,000, while Green Bay's is 72 with median homes at $235,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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