City Comparison

Dayton vs Pueblo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Dayton

Ohio
80
Very Affordable
$135,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$43,500
Median Income

Pueblo

Colorado
90
Below Average
$247,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$56,700
Median Income

The Verdict

11.1%

Living in Dayton costs 11.1% less than Pueblo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $84,375 in Pueblo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
46
Dayton
81
Pueblo
Groceries
98
Dayton
99
Pueblo
Utilities
109
Dayton
96
Pueblo
Transportation
100
Dayton
99
Pueblo
Healthcare
114
Dayton
102
Pueblo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $84,375 in Pueblo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Pueblo equals $66,667 in Dayton.

Living in Dayton vs Pueblo

Housing Costs

Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Pueblo's 81, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $247,000. The $112,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,284 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,075/mo in Pueblo, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 99 in Pueblo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $470/month in Pueblo. 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 96 in Pueblo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $384 in Pueblo. 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 102 in Pueblo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $56,700 in Pueblo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $63,000 respectively. Pueblo 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 $1,323/month in Pueblo. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Pueblo, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dayton is 11.1% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $84,375 in Pueblo, based on the cost of living difference.
Dayton's housing index is 46 with median homes at $135,000, while Pueblo's is 81 with median homes at $247,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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