Dayton vs Providence
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Providence
The Verdict
Living in Dayton costs 27.3% less than Providence. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $103,125 in Providence.
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 $103,125 in Providence.
Conversely, $75,000 in Providence equals $54,545 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Providence
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Providence's 118, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $310,000. The $175,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,500/mo in Providence, a monthly difference of $600.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 105 in Providence. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $499/month in Providence. Dayton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Dayton and 119 in Providence. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $476 in Providence. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 112 in Providence. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,500 in Dayton and $47,012 in Providence. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $42,738 respectively. Dayton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $1,097/month in Providence. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Providence, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 72 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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