CostIndexUSA

Dayton, OH vs Topeka, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OH
Dayton
92.7
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Topeka
88.8
overall index
$1,125/mo rent

Topeka is slightly cheaper than Dayton — 4.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $76,600 in Topeka. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing10.6%
Dayton
72.7
Topeka
65
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Dayton
93.6
Topeka
94
🚗 Transportation5.2%
Dayton
103.9
Topeka
98.5
🏥 Healthcare5.2%
Dayton
94
Topeka
89.1
Utilities6.8%
Dayton
95.4
Topeka
88.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Topeka, KS
$76,600
$3,400 less needed in Topeka

Formula: salary × (88.8 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 0.9579. 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×

Topeka, KS

Median Home Price
$204,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,125
Housing Index
65
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.1×

Dayton has 10.6% lower housing costs compared to Topeka.

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

Topeka, KS

Median Household Income
$65,300
Per Capita Income
$37,200
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
125,310
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareManufacturingFinanceRetail

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)

Topeka, KS
4.8×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.