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

Dayton

Ohio
50
VS

Pasadena

California
220

Dayton is 170% cheaper than Pasadena.

$866/mo ↓ 61%
Median Rent
$2,218/mo ↑ 156%
$43,454/yr ↓ 58%
Median Income
$103,778/yr ↑ 139%
$93,200 ↓ 91%
Home Value
$1,045,000 ↑ 1021%
$833/mo ↓ 64%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 181%
136,741
Population
136,462

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

23.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Dayton, OH and Pasadena, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 50 and 220 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,352/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $16,224/year.

Median household income is $60,324/year higher in Pasadena. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Dayton is $93,200 compared to $1,045,000 in Pasadena.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Dayton vs Pasadena — common questions

Is Dayton or Pasadena cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 220 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Dayton and Pasadena?
Median rent in Dayton is $866/month and in Pasadena it's $2,218/month — a difference of $1,352/month.
Which city has higher income, Dayton or Pasadena?
Median household income is $43,454 in Dayton and $103,778 in Pasadena. Median household income is $60,324/year higher in Pasadena.
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 Pasadena?
It depends on your priorities. Dayton has a cost index of 50 with median rent of $866/mo, while Pasadena has a cost index of 220 with rent of $2,218/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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