Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Dayton, OH (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

San Antonio is 64% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,258/mo ↑ 45%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 31%
$62,917/yr ↑ 45%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 31%
$219,700 ↑ 136%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 58%
$1,235/mo ↑ 48%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 33%
1,458,954
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $392/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $4,704/year.

Median household income is $19,463/year higher in San Antonio. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Dayton — common questions

Is San Antonio or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Dayton?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $392/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Dayton?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $19,463/year higher in San Antonio.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Ohio?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/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 San Antonio details → View Dayton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Antonio and Dayton

San Antonio vs. Philadelphia San Antonio vs. San Diego San Antonio vs. Phoenix San Antonio vs. Dallas San Antonio vs. Houston San Antonio vs. San Jose Dayton vs. Cedar Rapids Dayton vs. Pasadena Dayton vs. Hampton Dayton vs. Miramar Dayton vs. West Valley City Dayton vs. Victorville