CostIndexUSA

Dayton, OH vs Lafayette, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OH
Dayton
92.7
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Lafayette
87.2
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Lafayette is moderately cheaper than Dayton — 5.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $75,300 in Lafayette. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing19.1%
Dayton
72.7
Lafayette
58.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Dayton
93.6
Lafayette
93.7
🚗 Transportation3.3%
Dayton
103.9
Lafayette
100.5
🏥 Healthcare3.3%
Dayton
94
Lafayette
90.9
Utilities25.4%
Dayton
95.4
Lafayette
71.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lafayette, LA
$75,300
$4,700 less needed in Lafayette

Formula: salary × (87.2 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 0.9407. 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×

Lafayette, LA

Median Home Price
$194,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
58.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.2×

Dayton has 19.1% lower housing costs compared to Lafayette.

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

Lafayette, LA

Median Household Income
$57,300
Per Capita Income
$32,700
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
120,623
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareEducationManufacturingRetail

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)

Lafayette, LA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.