CostIndexUSA

Dayton, OH vs Harrisburg, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Dayton
92.7
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
PA
Harrisburg
98.7
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Dayton is moderately cheaper than Harrisburg — 6.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $85,200 in Harrisburg. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+32.5%
Dayton
72.7
Harrisburg
96.3
🛒 Groceries+7.6%
Dayton
93.6
Harrisburg
100.7
🚗 Transportation1.3%
Dayton
103.9
Harrisburg
102.6
🏥 Healthcare1.3%
Dayton
94
Harrisburg
92.8
Utilities+13.3%
Dayton
95.4
Harrisburg
108.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Harrisburg, PA
$85,200
$5,200 more needed in Harrisburg

Formula: salary × (98.7 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 1.0647. 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×

Harrisburg, PA

Median Home Price
$298,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
96.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

Harrisburg has 32.5% 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

Harrisburg, PA

Median Household Income
$76,800
Per Capita Income
$43,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
49,192
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareFinanceEducationManufacturing

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)

Harrisburg, PA
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.