Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Dayton, OH (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Nashville is 120% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,486/mo ↑ 72%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 42%
$75,197/yr ↑ 73%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 42%
$383,100 ↑ 311%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 76%
$1,471/mo ↑ 77%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 43%
684,298
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.5%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.64%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $620/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $7,440/year.

Median household income is $31,743/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Dayton — common questions

Is Nashville or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Dayton?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $620/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Dayton?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $31,743/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Ohio?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/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 Nashville details → View Dayton details →

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