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

Ontario

California
152
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Ontario is 204% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,916/mo ↑ 121%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 55%
$82,806/yr ↑ 91%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 48%
$568,000 ↑ 509%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 84%
$1,967/mo ↑ 136%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 58%
178,347
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

27.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Ontario, CA and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 152 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,050/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $12,600/year.

Median household income is $39,352/year higher in Ontario. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Ontario is $568,000 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Ontario vs Dayton — common questions

Is Ontario or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Ontario and Dayton?
Median rent in Ontario is $1,916/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $1,050/month.
Which city has higher income, Ontario or Dayton?
Median household income is $82,806 in Ontario and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $39,352/year higher in Ontario.
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 Ontario or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Ontario has a cost index of 152 with median rent of $1,916/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 Ontario details → View Dayton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Ontario and Dayton

Ontario vs. Aurora Ontario vs. Eugene Ontario vs. Chattanooga Ontario vs. Elk Grove Ontario vs. Fort Lauderdale Ontario vs. Santa Rosa Dayton vs. Cedar Rapids Dayton vs. Pasadena Dayton vs. Hampton Dayton vs. Miramar Dayton vs. West Valley City Dayton vs. Victorville