Dayton vs Virginia Beach
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Virginia Beach
The Verdict
Dayton is 23.8% less expensive than Virginia Beach overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dayton would need approximately $98,438 in Virginia Beach 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 $98,438 in Virginia Beach.
Conversely, $75,000 in Virginia Beach equals $57,143 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Virginia Beach
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Virginia Beach's 112, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $310,000. The $175,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,500/mo in Virginia Beach, a monthly difference of $600.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 100 in Virginia Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $475/month in Virginia Beach. 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 98 in Virginia Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $392 in Virginia Beach. 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 99 in Virginia Beach. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $73,418 in Virginia Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $69,922 respectively. Virginia Beach 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 $1,713/month in Virginia Beach. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Virginia Beach, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 66 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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