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

Gainesville

Florida
81
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Gainesville is 62% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,214/mo ↑ 40%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 29%
$45,611/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 5%
$235,000 ↑ 152%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 60%
$1,167/mo ↑ 40%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 29%
143,611
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

31.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Gainesville, FL and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 81 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $348/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $4,176/year.

Median household income is $2,157/year higher in Gainesville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Gainesville is $235,000 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Gainesville vs Dayton — common questions

Is Gainesville or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 81 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Gainesville and Dayton?
Median rent in Gainesville is $1,214/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $348/month.
Which city has higher income, Gainesville or Dayton?
Median household income is $45,611 in Gainesville and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $2,157/year higher in Gainesville.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Ohio?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Gainesville or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Gainesville has a cost index of 81 with median rent of $1,214/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 Gainesville details → View Dayton details →

More Comparisons

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