Dayton vs Mesa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Dayton
Mesa
💡 The Verdict
Dayton is 12% cheaper than Mesa overall. A $75,000 salary in Dayton is equivalent to $85,345 in Mesa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Dayton (left) vs Mesa (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Dayton versus Mesa. Differences shown from Dayton perspective.
| Item | Dayton | Mesa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,070/mo | $960/mo | +$110.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,540/mo | $1,350/mo | +$190.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,170/mo | $1,740/mo | +$430.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.26 | $2.62 | $-0.36 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.17 | $4.11 | $-0.94 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.76 | $2.89 | $-0.13 |
| Coffee (latte) | $4.79 | $5.46 | $-0.67 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.08 | $3.47 | $-0.39 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14.76 | $15.49 | $-0.73 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $85,345 in Mesa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Mesa equals $65,909 in Dayton.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $750 difference is driven by Ohio having a higher state income tax rate. Ohio details → · Arizona details →
Reading These Numbers: Dayton (87) vs Mesa (99)
Dayton at 87 is 13% below the US average, while Mesa at 99 is 1% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Dayton, the composite index of 87 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 112, followed by groceries (81), utilities (84), transportation (90), and healthcare (95). Housing is the primary cost driver here.
For renters: With median rents of $1,540/mo in Dayton and $1,350/mo in Mesa, the annual rent difference is approximately $2,280.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $11,400.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $13,000.0 difference in median home prices between Dayton and Mesa translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Dayton vs Mesa
Choosing between Dayton and Mesa involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Dayton against Mesa, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.