Dayton, OH vs Lorain, OH

Dayton, OH and Lorain, OH have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Dayton scores 66 while Lorain scores 68 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Dayton is $866/month compared to $839/month in Lorain — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lorain has cheaper rent, Dayton actually has lower median home values ($93,200 vs $123,500).

Median household income in Dayton is $43,454 compared to $45,799 in Lorain (-5.1%). While Lorain 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 22% in Lorain.

Climate-wise, Dayton is notably warmer with an average of 53.9°F compared to 50.2°F in Lorain. Dayton receives more rainfall at 41.3" per year compared to 36.7" in Lorain.