Cost of Living: Raleigh, NC vs Dayton, OH (2026)

Raleigh

North Carolina
110
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Raleigh is 120% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,468/mo ↑ 70%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 41%
$82,424/yr ↑ 90%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 47%
$377,800 ↑ 305%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 75%
$1,487/mo ↑ 79%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 44%
470,763
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
3.5%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Raleigh, NC and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $602/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $7,224/year.

Median household income is $38,970/year higher in Raleigh. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Raleigh is $377,800 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh vs Dayton — common questions

Is Raleigh 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 Raleigh and Dayton?
Median rent in Raleigh is $1,468/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $602/month.
Which city has higher income, Raleigh or Dayton?
Median household income is $82,424 in Raleigh and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $38,970/year higher in Raleigh.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Ohio?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Raleigh or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,468/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 Raleigh details → View Dayton details →

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