Dayton vs Tacoma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Tacoma
The Verdict
Living in Dayton costs 31.6% less than Tacoma. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $109,688 in Tacoma.
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 $109,688 in Tacoma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tacoma equals $51,282 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Tacoma
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Tacoma's 140, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $400,000. The $265,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,220 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,600/mo in Tacoma, a monthly difference of $700.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 105 in Tacoma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $499/month in Tacoma. Dayton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Dayton and 108 in Tacoma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $432 in Tacoma. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 106 in Tacoma. 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 $58,974 in Tacoma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $50,405 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 $1,376/month in Tacoma. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Tacoma, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 94 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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