Dayton, IA vs Holy Cross, IA

Dayton, IA and Holy Cross, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.4% difference in their overall index. Dayton scores 57 while Holy Cross scores 56 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 Dayton is $542/month compared to $334/month in Holy Cross — a 62% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Holy Cross has cheaper rent, Dayton actually has lower median home values ($106,900 vs $184,400).

Median household income in Dayton is $67,396 compared to $47,188 in Holy Cross (+42.8%). While Dayton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Dayton spend roughly 9.7% of their income on rent, more than the 8.5% in Holy Cross.