Cost of Living: Fort Worth, TX vs Dayton, OH (2026)

Fort Worth

Texas
97
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Fort Worth is 94% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,412/mo ↑ 63%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 39%
$76,602/yr ↑ 76%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 43%
$277,300 ↑ 198%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 66%
$1,489/mo ↑ 79%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 44%
941,311
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Worth, TX and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $546/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $6,552/year.

Median household income is $33,148/year higher in Fort Worth. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Worth is $277,300 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Worth vs Dayton — common questions

Is Fort Worth or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 97 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Worth and Dayton?
Median rent in Fort Worth is $1,412/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $546/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Worth or Dayton?
Median household income is $76,602 in Fort Worth and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $33,148/year higher in Fort Worth.
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 Fort Worth or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,412/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 Fort Worth details → View Dayton details →

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