CostIndexUSA

Dayton, OH vs Racine, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Dayton
92.7
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
WI
Racine
96
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Dayton is slightly cheaper than Racine — 3.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $82,800 in Racine. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+26.5%
Dayton
72.7
Racine
92
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Dayton
93.6
Racine
93.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Dayton
103.9
Racine
104.4
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Dayton
94
Racine
94.4
Utilities5.7%
Dayton
95.4
Racine
90

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Racine, WI
$82,800
$2,800 more needed in Racine

Formula: salary × (96 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 1.0356. 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×

Racine, WI

Median Home Price
$293,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
92
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Racine has 26.5% 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

Racine, WI

Median Household Income
$74,000
Per Capita Income
$42,200
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
78,900
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

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)

Racine, WI
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.