Dayton vs Montgomery
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Montgomery
The Verdict
Living in Montgomery costs 1.3% less than Dayton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $74,063 in Montgomery.
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 $74,063 in Montgomery.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $75,949 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Montgomery
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $162,000. The $27,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,752 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $470/month in Montgomery. 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 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $460 in Montgomery. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 36-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 $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases