Dayton vs Pearland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Pearland
The Verdict
Dayton is 20.0% less expensive than Pearland overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dayton would need approximately $93,750 in Pearland to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $93,750 in Pearland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Pearland equals $60,000 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Pearland
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Pearland's 99, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $372,000. The $237,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,408 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,800/mo in Pearland, a monthly difference of $900.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 97 in Pearland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $461/month in Pearland. 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 100 in Pearland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $400 in Pearland. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 105 in Pearland. 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 $118,800 in Pearland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $118,800 respectively. Pearland 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 $2,772/month in Pearland. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Pearland, median rent of $1,800/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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