Cost of Living: Dayton, OH vs Athens, GA (2026)

Dayton

Ohio
50
VS

Athens

Georgia
83

Dayton is 40% cheaper than Athens.

$866/mo ↓ 25%
Median Rent
$1,162/mo ↑ 34%
$43,454/yr ↓ 16%
Median Income
$51,655/yr ↑ 19%
$93,200 ↓ 66%
Home Value
$271,800 ↑ 192%
$833/mo ↓ 28%
Owner Costs
$1,163/mo ↑ 40%
136,741
Population
126,987

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
5.49%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

23.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Dayton, OH and Athens, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 50 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $296/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $3,552/year.

Median household income is $8,201/year higher in Athens. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Dayton is $93,200 compared to $271,800 in Athens.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Dayton vs Athens — common questions

Is Dayton or Athens cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 83 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Dayton and Athens?
Median rent in Dayton is $866/month and in Athens it's $1,162/month — a difference of $296/month.
Which city has higher income, Dayton or Athens?
Median household income is $43,454 in Dayton and $51,655 in Athens. Median household income is $8,201/year higher in Athens.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Georgia?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Dayton or Athens?
It depends on your priorities. Dayton has a cost index of 50 with median rent of $866/mo, while Athens has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,162/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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