City Comparison

Dayton vs High Point

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Dayton

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

High Point

North Carolina
84
Very Affordable
$249,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$49,200
Median Income

The Verdict

4.8%

Living in Dayton costs 4.8% less than High Point. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $78,750 in High Point.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
46
Dayton
61
High Point
Groceries
98
Dayton
96
High Point
Utilities
109
Dayton
98
High Point
Transportation
100
Dayton
92
High Point
Healthcare
114
Dayton
101
High Point

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $78,750 in High Point.

Conversely, $75,000 in High Point equals $71,429 in Dayton.

Living in Dayton vs High Point

Housing Costs

Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower High Point's 61, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $249,000. The $114,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,416 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,075/mo in High Point, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 96 in High Point. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $456/month in High Point. 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 High Point. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $392 in High Point. 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 101 in High Point. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $49,200 in High Point. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $58,571 respectively. High Point 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 $1,148/month in High Point. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In High Point, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dayton is 4.8% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,750 in High Point, based on the cost of living difference.
Dayton's housing index is 46 with median homes at $135,000, while High Point's is 61 with median homes at $249,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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