Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Dayton, OH (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Arlington is 306% more expensive than Dayton.

$2,275/mo ↑ 163%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 62%
$140,160/yr ↑ 223%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 69%
$864,800 ↑ 828%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 89%
$2,414/mo ↑ 190%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 65%
235,463
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
3.5%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,409/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $16,908/year.

Median household income is $96,706/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

Ohio has a lower income tax rate, making Dayton slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Dayton — common questions

Is Arlington or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Dayton?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $1,409/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Dayton?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $96,706/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Ohio?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Dayton has a cost index of 50 with rent of $866/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Dayton details →

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