Cleveland, OH vs Dayton, OH

Cleveland, OH and Dayton, OH have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.7% difference in their overall index. Cleveland scores 67 while Dayton scores 66 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cleveland is $894/month compared to $866/month in Dayton — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dayton is more affordable at $93,200 median vs $94,100.

Median household income in Cleveland is $39,187 compared to $43,454 in Dayton (-9.8%). Dayton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cleveland spend roughly 27.4% of their income on rent, more than the 23.9% in Dayton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.3°F vs 53.9°F). Dayton receives more rainfall at 41.3" per year compared to 33.3" in Cleveland.