Dayton vs Ithaca
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Ithaca
The Verdict
Living in Dayton costs 14.9% less than Ithaca. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $88,125 in Ithaca.
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 $88,125 in Ithaca.
Conversely, $75,000 in Ithaca equals $63,830 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Ithaca
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Ithaca's 117, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $324,000. The $189,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,288 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,475/mo in Ithaca, a monthly difference of $575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 103 in Ithaca. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $489/month in Ithaca. 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 Ithaca. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $408 in Ithaca. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 99 in Ithaca. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $48,600 in Ithaca. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $51,702 respectively. Dayton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $1,134/month in Ithaca. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Ithaca, median rent of $1,475/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 71 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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