Dayton vs Irving
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Irving
The Verdict
Dayton is 20.0% less expensive than Irving overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dayton would need approximately $93,750 in Irving to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $93,750 in Irving.
Conversely, $75,000 in Irving equals $60,000 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Irving
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Irving's 94, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $318,000. The $183,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,892 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,350/mo in Irving, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 99 in Irving. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $470/month in Irving. 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 111 in Irving. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $444 in Irving. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 103 in Irving. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $73,400 in Irving. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $73,400 respectively. Irving 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 $1,713/month in Irving. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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