Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Dayton, OH (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

El Paso is 34% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,041/mo ↑ 20%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 17%
$58,734/yr ↑ 35%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 26%
$171,700 ↑ 84%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 46%
$1,044/mo ↑ 25%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 20%
678,147
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $175/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $2,100/year.

Median household income is $15,280/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Dayton — common questions

Is El Paso or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Dayton?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $175/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Dayton?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $15,280/year higher in El Paso.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Ohio?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Dayton has a cost index of 50 with rent of $866/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Dayton details →

More Comparisons

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