Dayton vs Omaha
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Dayton
Omaha
💡 The Verdict
Dayton is 3% cheaper than Omaha overall. A $75,000 salary in Dayton is equivalent to $77,586 in Omaha.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Dayton (left) vs Omaha (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Dayton versus Omaha. Differences shown from Dayton perspective.
| Item | Dayton | Omaha | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,070/mo | $790/mo | +$280.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,540/mo | $1,100/mo | +$440.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,170/mo | $1,460/mo | +$710.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.26 | $2.70 | $-0.44 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.17 | $3.72 | $-0.55 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.76 | $3.24 | $-0.48 |
| Coffee (latte) | $4.79 | $6.06 | $-1.27 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.08 | $3.12 | $-0.04 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14.76 | $12.40 | +$2.36 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $77,586 in Omaha.
Conversely, $75,000 in Omaha equals $72,500 in Dayton.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $1575 difference is driven by Nebraska having a higher state income tax rate. Ohio details → · Nebraska details →
Reading These Numbers: Dayton (87) vs Omaha (90)
Dayton at 87 is 13% below the US average, while Omaha at 90 is 10% below average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
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 $1,100/mo in Omaha, the annual rent difference is approximately $5,280.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $26,400.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $107,000.0 difference in median home prices between Dayton and Omaha 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 Omaha
Choosing between Dayton and Omaha 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.
Long-term affordability in Dayton versus Omaha depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.