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

Dayton

Ohio
50
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Dayton is 50% cheaper than Wilmington.

$866/mo ↓ 34%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↑ 51%
$43,454/yr ↓ 32%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↑ 47%
$93,200 ↓ 73%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 276%
$833/mo ↓ 39%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↑ 65%
136,741
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

23.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Dayton, OH and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 50 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $445/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $5,340/year.

Median household income is $20,446/year higher in Wilmington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Dayton is $93,200 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Dayton vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Dayton or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Dayton and Wilmington?
Median rent in Dayton is $866/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $445/month.
Which city has higher income, Dayton or Wilmington?
Median household income is $43,454 in Dayton and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $20,446/year higher in Wilmington.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and North Carolina?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Dayton or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Dayton has a cost index of 50 with median rent of $866/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Dayton details → View Wilmington details →

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