Dayton vs Toronto
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Toronto
The Verdict
Dayton is 14.0% less expensive than Toronto overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dayton would need approximately $87,188 in Toronto 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 $87,188 in Toronto.
Conversely, $75,000 in Toronto equals $64,516 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Toronto
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Toronto's 132, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $615,000. The $480,000 difference in home prices means roughly $31,200 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,825/mo in Toronto, a monthly difference of $925.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 88 in Toronto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $418/month in Toronto. Toronto offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Dayton and 85 in Toronto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $340 in Toronto. 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 72 in Toronto. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 42-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 $55,000 in Toronto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $59,140 respectively. Toronto 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 $1,283/month in Toronto. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Toronto, median rent of $1,825/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 86 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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