Cost of Living: Mesa, AZ vs Dayton, OH (2026)

Mesa

Arizona
107
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Mesa is 114% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,478/mo ↑ 71%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 41%
$78,779/yr ↑ 81%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 45%
$364,300 ↑ 291%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 74%
$1,404/mo ↑ 69%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 41%
507,478
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

2.5%
Income Tax
3.5%
5.6%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.62%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

22.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Mesa, AZ and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 107 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $612/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $7,344/year.

Median household income is $35,325/year higher in Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Mesa is $364,300 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

Arizona has a lower income tax rate, making Mesa slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mesa vs Dayton — common questions

Is Mesa or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 107 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Mesa and Dayton?
Median rent in Mesa is $1,478/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $612/month.
Which city has higher income, Mesa or Dayton?
Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $35,325/year higher in Mesa.
How do taxes compare between Arizona and Ohio?
Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Mesa or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Mesa has a cost index of 107 with median rent of $1,478/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 Mesa details → View Dayton details →

More Comparisons

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