Cost of Living: Seattle, WA vs Dayton, OH (2026)

Seattle

Washington
196
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Seattle is 292% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,998/mo ↑ 131%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 57%
$121,984/yr ↑ 181%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 64%
$912,100 ↑ 879%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 90%
$2,220/mo ↑ 167%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 62%
741,440
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.5%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.92%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

19.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Seattle, WA and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 196 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,132/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $13,584/year.

Median household income is $78,530/year higher in Seattle. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Seattle is $912,100 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Seattle residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle vs Dayton — common questions

Is Seattle or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 196 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Seattle and Dayton?
Median rent in Seattle is $1,998/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $1,132/month.
Which city has higher income, Seattle or Dayton?
Median household income is $121,984 in Seattle and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $78,530/year higher in Seattle.
How do taxes compare between Washington and Ohio?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Seattle or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Seattle has a cost index of 196 with median rent of $1,998/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 Seattle details → View Dayton details →

More Comparisons

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