Dayton vs Provo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Provo
The Verdict
Dayton is 23.1% less expensive than Provo overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dayton would need approximately $97,500 in Provo 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 $97,500 in Provo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Provo equals $57,692 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Provo
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Provo's 112, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $380,000. The $245,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,924 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,300/mo in Provo, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 98 in Provo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $466/month in Provo. 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 87 in Provo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $348 in Provo. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 97 in Provo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $51,048 in Provo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $49,085 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 $1,191/month in Provo. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Provo, median rent of $1,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 66 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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