Dayton vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Springfield
The Verdict
Dayton is 4.8% less expensive than Springfield overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dayton would need approximately $78,750 in Springfield 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 $78,750 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $71,429 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $225,000. The $90,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $447/month in Springfield. 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 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $316 in Springfield. 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 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,500 in Dayton and $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $54,762 respectively. Springfield 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 $1,073/month in Springfield. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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