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

Palmdale

California
130
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Palmdale is 160% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,736/mo ↑ 100%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 50%
$81,151/yr ↑ 87%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 46%
$435,300 ↑ 367%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 79%
$1,831/mo ↑ 120%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 55%
165,487
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

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Palmdale, CA and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 130 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $870/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $10,440/year.

Median household income is $37,697/year higher in Palmdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Palmdale is $435,300 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Palmdale vs Dayton — common questions

Is Palmdale or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 130 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Palmdale and Dayton?
Median rent in Palmdale is $1,736/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $870/month.
Which city has higher income, Palmdale or Dayton?
Median household income is $81,151 in Palmdale and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $37,697/year higher in Palmdale.
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 Palmdale or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with median rent of $1,736/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 Palmdale details → View Dayton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Palmdale and Dayton

Palmdale vs. Springfield Palmdale vs. Salinas Palmdale vs. Fort Collins Palmdale vs. Hayward Palmdale vs. Lancaster Palmdale vs. Corona Dayton vs. Cedar Rapids Dayton vs. Pasadena Dayton vs. Hampton Dayton vs. Miramar Dayton vs. West Valley City Dayton vs. Victorville