Big Lake, TX vs Dayton, TX

Big Lake is moderately more affordable than Dayton, with a 14.9% lower cost of living index. Big Lake scores 70 compared to 83 for Dayton, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Dayton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Big Lake is $806/month compared to $1,002/month in Dayton — a 20% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Big Lake is more affordable at $155,500 median vs $211,900.

Median household income in Big Lake is $72,067 compared to $61,307 in Dayton (+17.6%). Big Lake offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Big Lake spend roughly 13.4% of their income on rent, less than the 19.6% in Dayton.