Cost of Living: Jersey City, NJ vs Dayton, OH (2026)

Jersey City

New Jersey
148
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Jersey City is 196% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,902/mo ↑ 120%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 54%
$94,813/yr ↑ 118%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 54%
$534,500 ↑ 473%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 83%
$2,006/mo ↑ 141%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 58%
289,691
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

10.75%
Income Tax
3.5%
6.625%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
2.23%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

24.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Jersey City, NJ and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 148 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,036/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $12,432/year.

Median household income is $51,359/year higher in Jersey City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Jersey City is $534,500 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Jersey City vs Dayton — common questions

Is Jersey City or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 148 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Jersey City and Dayton?
Median rent in Jersey City is $1,902/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $1,036/month.
Which city has higher income, Jersey City or Dayton?
Median household income is $94,813 in Jersey City and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $51,359/year higher in Jersey City.
How do taxes compare between New Jersey and Ohio?
New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Jersey City or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Jersey City has a cost index of 148 with median rent of $1,902/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 Jersey City details → View Dayton details →

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