CostIndexUSA

Akron, OH vs Dayton, OH Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OH
Akron
93.4
overall index
$1,225/mo rent
More AffordableOH
Dayton
92.7
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Dayton is slightly cheaper than Akron — 0.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Akron, you would need $79,400 in Dayton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing5.3%
Akron
76.8
Dayton
72.7
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Akron
93.6
Dayton
93.6
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Akron
103.9
Dayton
103.9
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Akron
94
Dayton
94
Utilities1.0%
Akron
96.4
Dayton
95.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Akron to see what you'd need to earn in Dayton to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Dayton, OH
$79,400
$600 less needed in Dayton

Formula: salary × (92.7 ÷ 93.4) = salary × 0.9925. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Akron, OH

Median Home Price
$225,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,225
Housing Index
76.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.3×

Dayton, OH

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
72.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.1×

Akron has 5.3% lower housing costs compared to Dayton.

Income & Job Market

Akron, OH

Median Household Income
$70,100
Per Capita Income
$40,000
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
190,469
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationTechnologyFinance

Dayton, OH

Median Household Income
$67,100
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
137,630
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareMilitaryEducationGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Akron, OH
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Dayton, OH
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.