CostIndexUSA

Dayton, OH vs Lakeland, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Dayton
92.7
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
FL
Lakeland
97.1
overall index
$1,825/mo rent

Dayton is slightly cheaper than Lakeland — 4.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $83,800 in Lakeland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+31.9%
Dayton
72.7
Lakeland
95.9
🛒 Groceries+2.8%
Dayton
93.6
Lakeland
96.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Dayton
103.9
Lakeland
103.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Dayton
94
Lakeland
93.9
Utilities8.9%
Dayton
95.4
Lakeland
86.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lakeland, FL
$83,800
$3,800 more needed in Lakeland

Formula: salary × (97.1 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 1.0475. 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×

Lakeland, FL

Median Home Price
$295,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,825
Housing Index
95.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.5×

Lakeland has 31.9% 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

Lakeland, FL

Median Household Income
$66,900
Per Capita Income
$38,100
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
119,428
Top Industries
HealthcareLogisticsManufacturingRetailAgriculture

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)

Lakeland, FL
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.