CostIndexUSA

Dayton, OH vs Denver, CO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Dayton
92.7
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
CO
Denver
105.8
overall index
$1,850/mo rent

Dayton is moderately cheaper than Denver — 14.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $91,300 in Denver. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+102.1%
Dayton
72.7
Denver
146.9
🛒 Groceries+7.9%
Dayton
93.6
Denver
101
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Dayton
103.9
Denver
104.4
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Dayton
94
Denver
94.5
Utilities7.9%
Dayton
95.4
Denver
87.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Denver, CO
$91,300
$11,300 more needed in Denver

Formula: salary × (105.8 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 1.1413. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Dayton, OH

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

Denver, CO

Median Home Price
$559,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
146.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.2×

Denver has 102.1% higher housing costs compared to Dayton.

Income & Job Market

Dayton, OH

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

Denver, CO

Median Household Income
$103,100
Per Capita Income
$58,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
715,522
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceEnergyHealthcareTourism

Affordability at a Glance

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

Dayton, OH
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Denver, CO
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.