Dayton, ID vs Sun Valley, ID

The cost of living difference between Dayton, ID and Sun Valley, ID is dramatic. Dayton is 48.4% cheaper than Sun Valley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Dayton has a cost index of 86 while Sun Valley sits at 166, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Dayton is $1,000/month compared to $2,114/month in Sun Valley — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dayton is more affordable at $275,000 median vs $845,600.

Median household income in Dayton is $86,667 compared to $82,045 in Sun Valley (+5.6%). 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 13.8% of their income on rent, less than the 30.9% in Sun Valley. The Dayton ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.