Dayton vs San Francisco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Dayton
San Francisco
💡 The Verdict
Dayton is 54% cheaper than San Francisco overall. A $75,000 salary in Dayton is equivalent to $163,793 in San Francisco.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Dayton (left) vs San Francisco (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Dayton versus San Francisco. Differences shown from Dayton perspective.
| Item | Dayton | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,070/mo | $2,370/mo | $-1300.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,540/mo | $3,400/mo | $-1860.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,170/mo | $4,530/mo | $-2360.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.26 | $3.13 | $-0.87 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.17 | $4.60 | $-1.43 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.76 | $3.50 | $-0.74 |
| Coffee (latte) | $4.79 | $6.26 | $-1.47 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.08 | $3.66 | $-0.58 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14.76 | $26.09 | $-11.33 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $163,793 in San Francisco.
Conversely, $75,000 in San Francisco equals $34,342 in Dayton.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $2025 difference is driven by California having a higher state income tax rate. Ohio details → · California details →
Reading These Numbers: Dayton (87) vs San Francisco (190)
Dayton at 87 is 13% below the US average, while San Francisco at 190 is 90% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Dayton, the composite index of 87 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 112, followed by groceries (81), utilities (84), transportation (90), and healthcare (95). Housing is the primary cost driver here.
For renters: With median rents of $1,540/mo in Dayton and $3,400/mo in San Francisco, the annual rent difference is approximately $22,320.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $111,600.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $863,000.0 difference in median home prices between Dayton and San Francisco translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Dayton vs San Francisco
Choosing between Dayton and San Francisco involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Dayton versus San Francisco depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.