Dayton vs Lowell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Lowell
The Verdict
Dayton is 38.9% less expensive than Lowell overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dayton would need approximately $122,813 in Lowell 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 $122,813 in Lowell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lowell equals $45,802 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Lowell
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Lowell's 152, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $429,000. The $294,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,116 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,925/mo in Lowell, a monthly difference of $1,025.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 104 in Lowell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $494/month in Lowell. Dayton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Dayton and 151 in Lowell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $604 in Lowell. 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 118 in Lowell. 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 $79,700 in Lowell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $60,840 respectively. Lowell 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 $1,860/month in Lowell. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Lowell, median rent of $1,925/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 106 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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