Dayton vs Salt Lake City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Salt Lake City
The Verdict
Dayton is 25.2% less expensive than Salt Lake City overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dayton would need approximately $100,313 in Salt Lake City 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 $100,313 in Salt Lake City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Salt Lake City equals $56,075 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Salt Lake City
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Salt Lake City's 120, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $440,000. The $305,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,500/mo in Salt Lake City, a monthly difference of $600.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 99 in Salt Lake City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $470/month in Salt Lake City. 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 88 in Salt Lake City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $352 in Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City. 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 $60,590 in Salt Lake City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $56,626 respectively. Salt Lake City 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 $1,414/month in Salt Lake City. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Salt Lake City, 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 74 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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