City Comparison

Dayton vs Henderson

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Dayton

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

Henderson

Nevada
108
Above Average
$420,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$72,238
Median Income

The Verdict

25.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 25.9%, with Dayton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to $101,250 in Henderson.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
46
Dayton
118
Henderson
Groceries
98
Dayton
102
Henderson
Utilities
109
Dayton
94
Henderson
Transportation
100
Dayton
107
Henderson
Healthcare
114
Dayton
96
Henderson

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $101,250 in Henderson.

Conversely, $75,000 in Henderson equals $55,556 in Dayton.

Living in Dayton vs Henderson

Housing Costs

Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Henderson's 118, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $420,000. The $285,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,528 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,500/mo in Henderson, a monthly difference of $600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 102 in Henderson. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $485/month in Henderson. 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 94 in Henderson. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $376 in Henderson. 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 Henderson. 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 $72,238 in Henderson. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $66,887 respectively. Henderson 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 $1,686/month in Henderson. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Henderson, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 72 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dayton is 25.9% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $101,250 in Henderson, based on the cost of living difference.
Dayton's housing index is 46 with median homes at $135,000, while Henderson's is 118 with median homes at $420,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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