Dayton vs Salem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Salem
The Verdict
Dayton is 23.1% less expensive than Salem overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dayton would need approximately $97,500 in Salem 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 Salem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Salem equals $57,692 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Salem
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Salem's 118, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $400,000. The $265,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,220 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,275/mo in Salem, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 100 in Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $475/month in Salem. 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 97 in Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $388 in Salem. 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 100 in Salem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $66,400 in Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $63,846 respectively. Salem 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 $1,549/month in Salem. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Salem, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. 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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