Bellevue, IA vs Dayton, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Dayton is 28.4% cheaper than Bellevue. With a cost index of 57 vs 73, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Dayton to Bellevue should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bellevue is $826/month compared to $542/month in Dayton — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dayton is more affordable at $106,900 median vs $210,500.

Median household income in Bellevue is $78,792 compared to $67,396 in Dayton (+16.9%). The higher salaries in Bellevue partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Bellevue spend roughly 12.6% of their income on rent, more than the 9.7% in Dayton.