Dayton, OH vs Springfield, OH

Dayton, OH and Springfield, OH have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3% difference in their overall index. Dayton scores 66 while Springfield scores 64 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 $805/month in Springfield — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Springfield has cheaper rent, Dayton actually has lower median home values ($93,200 vs $107,600).

Median household income in Dayton is $43,454 compared to $45,883 in Springfield (-5.3%). Springfield 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 23.9% of their income on rent, more than the 21.1% in Springfield.