Dayton, TX vs Port Aransas, TX

The cost of living difference between Dayton, TX and Port Aransas, TX is dramatic. Dayton is 40.9% cheaper than Port Aransas, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Dayton has a cost index of 83 while Port Aransas sits at 140, 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 $1,002/month compared to $2,226/month in Port Aransas — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dayton is more affordable at $211,900 median vs $490,200.

Median household income in Dayton is $61,307 compared to $88,311 in Port Aransas (-30.6%). The higher salaries in Port Aransas partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Dayton spend roughly 19.6% of their income on rent, less than the 30.2% in Port Aransas. The Dayton ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.