Dayton, IA vs Ridgeway, IA

Dayton is moderately more affordable than Ridgeway, with a 8.2% lower cost of living index. Dayton scores 57 compared to 62 for Ridgeway, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ridgeway can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Dayton is $542/month compared to $637/month in Ridgeway — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dayton is more affordable at $106,900 median vs $136,600.

Median household income in Dayton is $67,396 compared to $56,500 in Ridgeway (+19.3%). 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 Dayton spend roughly 9.7% of their income on rent, less than the 13.5% in Ridgeway.