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

Oakland

California
195
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Oakland is 290% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,917/mo ↑ 121%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 55%
$97,369/yr ↑ 124%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 55%
$924,700 ↑ 892%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 90%
$2,164/mo ↑ 160%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 62%
438,072
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

23.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Oakland, CA and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 195 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,051/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $12,612/year.

Median household income is $53,915/year higher in Oakland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Oakland is $924,700 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Oakland vs Dayton — common questions

Is Oakland or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Oakland and Dayton?
Median rent in Oakland is $1,917/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $1,051/month.
Which city has higher income, Oakland or Dayton?
Median household income is $97,369 in Oakland and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $53,915/year higher in Oakland.
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 Oakland or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Oakland has a cost index of 195 with median rent of $1,917/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 Oakland details → View Dayton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Oakland and Dayton

Oakland vs. Miami Oakland vs. Minneapolis Oakland vs. Virginia Beach Oakland vs. Tulsa Oakland vs. Long Beach Oakland vs. Bakersfield Dayton vs. Cedar Rapids Dayton vs. Pasadena Dayton vs. Hampton Dayton vs. Miramar Dayton vs. West Valley City Dayton vs. Victorville