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

Irvine

California
256
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Irvine is 412% more expensive than Dayton.

$2,893/mo ↑ 234%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 70%
$129,647/yr ↑ 198%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 66%
$1,115,400 ↑ 1097%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 92%
$2,904/mo ↑ 249%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 71%
308,160
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $2,027/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $24,324/year.

Median household income is $86,193/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Dayton — common questions

Is Irvine or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Dayton?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $2,027/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Dayton?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $86,193/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Ohio?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/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 Irvine details → View Dayton details →

More Comparisons

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