City Comparison

Dayton vs Twin Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Dayton

Ohio
80
Very Affordable
$135,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$43,500
Median Income

Twin Falls

Idaho
92
Below Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,150/mo
Median Rent
$60,900
Median Income

The Verdict

13.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.0%, with Dayton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to $86,250 in Twin Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
46
Dayton
93
Twin Falls
Groceries
98
Dayton
98
Twin Falls
Utilities
109
Dayton
85
Twin Falls
Transportation
100
Dayton
96
Twin Falls
Healthcare
114
Dayton
94
Twin Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $86,250 in Twin Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Twin Falls equals $65,217 in Dayton.

Living in Dayton vs Twin Falls

Housing Costs

Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Twin Falls's 93, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $380,000. The $245,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,924 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,150/mo in Twin Falls, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 98 in Twin Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $466/month in Twin Falls. 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 85 in Twin Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $340 in Twin Falls. 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 94 in Twin Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $60,900 in Twin Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $66,196 respectively. Twin Falls 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 $1,421/month in Twin Falls. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Twin Falls, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dayton is 13.0% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,250 in Twin Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Dayton's housing index is 46 with median homes at $135,000, while Twin Falls's is 93 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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