Dayton, OH vs Hamilton, OH

Dayton is moderately more affordable than Hamilton, with a 11.7% lower cost of living index. Dayton scores 66 compared to 75 for Hamilton, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hamilton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Dayton is $866/month compared to $974/month in Hamilton — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dayton is more affordable at $93,200 median vs $152,300.

Median household income in Dayton is $43,454 compared to $54,293 in Hamilton (-20%). While Hamilton 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 23.9% of their income on rent, more than the 21.5% in Hamilton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.9°F vs 53.8°F). Hamilton receives more rainfall at 41.4" per year compared to 41.3" in Dayton.