Dayton, MN vs Farmington, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Farmington is 15.4% cheaper than Dayton. With a cost index of 103 vs 119, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Farmington to Dayton should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Dayton is $1,353/month compared to $1,275/month in Farmington — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Farmington is more affordable at $345,100 median vs $510,600.

Median household income in Dayton is $137,383 compared to $118,556 in Farmington (+15.9%). 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 11.8% of their income on rent, less than the 12.9% in Farmington.