Dayton, OH vs Mansfield, OH

Mansfield is moderately more affordable than Dayton, with a 5.7% lower cost of living index. Dayton scores 66 compared to 63 for Mansfield, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Dayton 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 $768/month in Mansfield — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mansfield has cheaper rent, Dayton actually has lower median home values ($93,200 vs $110,600).

Median household income in Dayton is $43,454 compared to $42,605 in Mansfield (+2%). Dayton does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Dayton spend roughly 23.9% of their income on rent, more than the 21.6% in Mansfield.

Climate-wise, Dayton is notably warmer with an average of 53.9°F compared to 50.6°F in Mansfield. Mansfield receives more rainfall at 42.5" per year compared to 41.3" in Dayton.