Cost of Living: Cary, NC vs Dayton, OH (2026)

Cary

North Carolina
135
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Cary is 170% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,621/mo ↑ 87%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 47%
$129,399/yr ↑ 198%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 66%
$525,200 ↑ 464%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 82%
$1,744/mo ↑ 109%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 52%
176,686
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
3.5%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

15.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cary, NC and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 135 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $755/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $9,060/year.

Median household income is $85,945/year higher in Cary. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cary is $525,200 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cary vs Dayton — common questions

Is Cary or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 135 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cary and Dayton?
Median rent in Cary is $1,621/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $755/month.
Which city has higher income, Cary or Dayton?
Median household income is $129,399 in Cary and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $85,945/year higher in Cary.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Ohio?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% 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 Cary or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Cary has a cost index of 135 with median rent of $1,621/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 Cary details → View Dayton details →

More Comparisons

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