Dayton vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Stockholm
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 17.5%, with Dayton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to $90,938 in Stockholm.
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 $90,938 in Stockholm.
Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $61,856 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Stockholm
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $445,000. The $310,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,148 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $600.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $437/month in Stockholm. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Dayton and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $352 in Stockholm. 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 82 in Stockholm. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 32-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 $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $51,546 respectively. Dayton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Stockholm, 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 72 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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