Dayton, MN vs Golden Valley, MN

Dayton is moderately more affordable than Golden Valley, with a 5.4% lower cost of living index. Dayton scores 119 compared to 126 for Golden Valley, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Golden Valley can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Dayton is $1,353/month compared to $1,815/month in Golden Valley — a 26% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Dayton has cheaper rent, Golden Valley actually has lower median home values ($423,500 vs $510,600).

Median household income in Dayton is $137,383 compared to $114,435 in Golden Valley (+20.1%). 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 11.8% of their income on rent, less than the 19% in Golden Valley.