Dayton vs Kent
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Kent
The Verdict
Living in Dayton costs 41.6% less than Kent. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $128,438 in Kent.
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 $128,438 in Kent.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $43,796 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Kent
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Kent's 195, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $595,000. The $460,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,904 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,750/mo in Kent, a monthly difference of $850.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 109 in Kent. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $518/month in Kent. Dayton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Dayton and 92 in Kent. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $368 in Kent. 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 122 in Kent. 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 $98,300 in Kent. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $71,752 respectively. Kent 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 $2,294/month in Kent. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 149 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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