Dayton vs Worcester

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 $117,188 in Worcester.

Conversely, $75,000 in Worcester equals $48,000 in Dayton.

Living in Dayton vs Worcester

Housing Costs

Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Worcester's 152, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $340,000. The $205,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,600/mo in Worcester, a monthly difference of $700.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 106 in Worcester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $504/month in Worcester. Dayton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Dayton and 122 in Worcester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $488 in Worcester. 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 115 in Worcester. 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 $52,228 in Worcester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $41,782 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 $1,219/month in Worcester. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Worcester, 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 106 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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