Dayton, OR vs Madras, OR

The cost of living difference between Dayton, OR and Madras, OR is dramatic. Madras is 40% cheaper than Dayton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Dayton has a cost index of 125 while Madras sits at 89, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Dayton is $1,882/month compared to $942/month in Madras — a 100% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madras is more affordable at $291,400 median vs $372,900.

Median household income in Dayton is $79,556 compared to $56,590 in Madras (+40.6%). While Dayton 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 28.4% of their income on rent, more than the 20% in Madras.

Climate-wise, Dayton is notably warmer with an average of 52.9°F compared to 48.9°F in Madras. Dayton receives more rainfall at 37.6" per year compared to 8.5" in Madras.