Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Dayton, OH (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Louisville is 48% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,069/mo ↑ 23%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 19%
$64,731/yr ↑ 49%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 33%
$221,500 ↑ 138%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 58%
$1,118/mo ↑ 34%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 25%
627,210
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
3.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.83%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $203/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $2,436/year.

Median household income is $21,277/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Dayton — common questions

Is Louisville or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Dayton?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $203/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Dayton?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $21,277/year higher in Louisville.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Ohio?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/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 Louisville details → View Dayton details →

More Comparisons

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