Dayton vs Wilmington

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 $96,563 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $58,252 in Dayton.

Living in Dayton vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $320,000. The $185,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,024 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $376 in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. 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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 62 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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