Dayton vs Newark
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Newark
The Verdict
Living in Dayton costs 33.9% less than Newark. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $113,438 in Newark.
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 $113,438 in Newark.
Conversely, $75,000 in Newark equals $49,587 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Newark
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Newark's 149, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $340,000. The $205,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,400/mo in Newark, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 103 in Newark. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $489/month in Newark. 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 118 in Newark. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $472 in Newark. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 105 in Newark. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $40,014 in Newark. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $33,069 respectively. Dayton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $934/month in Newark. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Newark, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 103 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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