Dayton vs Meridian
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Meridian
The Verdict
Living in Dayton costs 33.3% less than Meridian. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $112,500 in Meridian.
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 $112,500 in Meridian.
Conversely, $75,000 in Meridian equals $50,000 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Meridian
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Meridian's 154, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $509,000. The $374,000 difference in home prices means roughly $24,312 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,725/mo in Meridian, a monthly difference of $825.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 104 in Meridian. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $494/month in Meridian. 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 86 in Meridian. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $344 in Meridian. 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 103 in Meridian. 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 $99,700 in Meridian. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $83,083 respectively. Meridian 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 $2,326/month in Meridian. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 108 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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