Cost of Living: Dayton, OH vs Fairfield, CA (2026)

Dayton

Ohio
50
VS

Fairfield

California
167

Dayton is 70% cheaper than Fairfield.

$866/mo ↓ 60%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 153%
$43,454/yr ↓ 58%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↑ 135%
$93,200 ↓ 84%
Home Value
$592,500 ↑ 536%
$833/mo ↓ 63%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 167%
136,741
Population
119,985

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
13.3%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

23.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Dayton, OH and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 50 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,325/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $15,900/year.

Median household income is $58,867/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Dayton is $93,200 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Dayton vs Fairfield — common questions

Is Dayton or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Dayton and Fairfield?
Median rent in Dayton is $866/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $1,325/month.
Which city has higher income, Dayton or Fairfield?
Median household income is $43,454 in Dayton and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $58,867/year higher in Fairfield.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and California?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Dayton or Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. Dayton has a cost index of 50 with median rent of $866/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Dayton details → View Fairfield details →

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