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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

San Jose is 408% more expensive than Dayton.

$2,617/mo ↑ 202%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 67%
$141,565/yr ↑ 226%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 69%
$1,187,800 ↑ 1174%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 92%
$2,775/mo ↑ 233%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 70%
990,054
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

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,751/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $21,012/year.

Median household income is $98,111/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Dayton — common questions

Is San Jose or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Dayton?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $1,751/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Dayton?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $98,111/year higher in San Jose.
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 San Jose or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View Dayton details →

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