Dayton vs Syracuse
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Syracuse
The Verdict
Dayton is 13.0% less expensive than Syracuse overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dayton would need approximately $86,250 in Syracuse 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 $86,250 in Syracuse.
Conversely, $75,000 in Syracuse equals $65,217 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Syracuse
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Syracuse's 69, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $140,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $950/mo in Syracuse, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 101 in Syracuse. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $480/month in Syracuse. 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 105 in Syracuse. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $420 in Syracuse. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 100 in Syracuse. 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 $36,708 in Syracuse. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $39,900 respectively. Dayton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $857/month in Syracuse. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Syracuse, median rent of $950/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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