Dayton, TX vs Santa Rosa, TX

The cost of living difference between Dayton, TX and Santa Rosa, TX is dramatic. Santa Rosa is 35.4% cheaper than Dayton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Dayton has a cost index of 83 while Santa Rosa sits at 61, 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 $892/month in Santa Rosa — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Santa Rosa is more affordable at $48,700 median vs $211,900.

Median household income in Dayton is $61,307 compared to $29,803 in Santa Rosa (+105.7%). 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 19.6% of their income on rent, less than the 35.9% in Santa Rosa. The Dayton ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.