Cost of Living: Dayton, OH vs Palm Bay, FL (2026)

Dayton

Ohio
50
VS

Palm Bay

Florida
91

Dayton is 45% cheaper than Palm Bay.

$866/mo ↓ 42%
Median Rent
$1,487/mo ↑ 72%
$43,454/yr ↓ 36%
Median Income
$67,521/yr ↑ 55%
$93,200 ↓ 62%
Home Value
$248,000 ↑ 166%
$833/mo ↓ 31%
Owner Costs
$1,203/mo ↑ 44%
136,741
Population
125,273

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

23.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Dayton, OH and Palm Bay, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 50 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $621/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $7,452/year.

Median household income is $24,067/year higher in Palm Bay. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Dayton is $93,200 compared to $248,000 in Palm Bay.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Palm Bay residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dayton vs Palm Bay — common questions

Is Dayton or Palm Bay cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Dayton and Palm Bay?
Median rent in Dayton is $866/month and in Palm Bay it's $1,487/month — a difference of $621/month.
Which city has higher income, Dayton or Palm Bay?
Median household income is $43,454 in Dayton and $67,521 in Palm Bay. Median household income is $24,067/year higher in Palm Bay.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Florida?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Dayton or Palm Bay?
It depends on your priorities. Dayton has a cost index of 50 with median rent of $866/mo, while Palm Bay has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,487/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Dayton and Palm Bay

Dayton vs. Cedar Rapids Dayton vs. Pasadena Dayton vs. Hampton Dayton vs. Miramar Dayton vs. West Valley City Dayton vs. Victorville Palm Bay vs. Allentown Palm Bay vs. Meridian Palm Bay vs. Thousand Oaks Palm Bay vs. Vallejo Palm Bay vs. Simi Valley Palm Bay vs. Round Rock