Cost of Living: Birmingham, AL vs Dayton, OH (2026)

Birmingham

Alabama
62
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Birmingham is 24% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,047/mo ↑ 21%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 17%
$44,376/yr ↑ 2%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 2%
$138,600 ↑ 49%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 33%
$991/mo ↑ 19%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 16%
199,322
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

5.0%
Income Tax
3.5%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.41%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

28.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Birmingham, AL and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 62 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $181/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $2,172/year.

Median household income is $922/year higher in Birmingham. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Birmingham is $138,600 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Birmingham vs Dayton — common questions

Is Birmingham or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 62 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Birmingham and Dayton?
Median rent in Birmingham is $1,047/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $181/month.
Which city has higher income, Birmingham or Dayton?
Median household income is $44,376 in Birmingham and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $922/year higher in Birmingham.
How do taxes compare between Alabama and Ohio?
Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Birmingham or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Birmingham has a cost index of 62 with median rent of $1,047/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 Birmingham details → View Dayton details →

More Comparisons

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