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

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Sacramento is 164% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,694/mo ↑ 96%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 49%
$83,753/yr ↑ 93%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 48%
$484,600 ↑ 420%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 81%
$1,752/mo ↑ 110%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 52%
524,802
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

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $828/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $9,936/year.

Median household income is $40,299/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Dayton — common questions

Is Sacramento or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Dayton?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $828/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Dayton?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $40,299/year higher in Sacramento.
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 Sacramento or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/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 Sacramento details → View Dayton details →

More Comparisons

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