Dayton vs Rochester
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Rochester
The Verdict
Living in Dayton costs 14.9% less than Rochester. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $88,125 in Rochester.
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 $88,125 in Rochester.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rochester equals $63,830 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Rochester
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Rochester's 95, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $345,000. The $210,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,656 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,275/mo in Rochester, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 103 in Rochester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $489/month in Rochester. 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 102 in Rochester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $408 in Rochester. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 104 in Rochester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $91,500 in Rochester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $97,340 respectively. Rochester 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 $2,135/month in Rochester. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Rochester, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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