Dayton vs Hampton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Hampton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 9.1%, with Dayton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to $82,500 in Hampton.
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 $82,500 in Hampton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $68,182 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Hampton
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $243,000. The $108,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,020 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $447/month in Hampton. 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 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $408 in Hampton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 106 in Hampton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,500 in Dayton and $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $67,500 respectively. Hampton 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 $1,386/month in Hampton. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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