Arlington, TN vs Dayton, TN

The cost of living difference between Arlington, TN and Dayton, TN is dramatic. Dayton is 79.9% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 124 while Dayton sits at 69, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $2,046/month compared to $807/month in Dayton — a 154% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dayton is more affordable at $152,200 median vs $367,700.

Median household income in Arlington is $125,909 compared to $56,692 in Dayton (+122.1%). While Arlington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 19.5% of their income on rent, more than the 17.1% in Dayton.