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

Tacoma

Washington
126
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Tacoma is 152% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,597/mo ↑ 84%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 46%
$83,857/yr ↑ 93%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 48%
$454,600 ↑ 388%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 79%
$1,747/mo ↑ 110%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 52%
220,482
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tacoma, WA and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 126 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $731/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $8,772/year.

Median household income is $40,403/year higher in Tacoma. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tacoma is $454,600 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tacoma vs Dayton — common questions

Is Tacoma or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tacoma and Dayton?
Median rent in Tacoma is $1,597/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $731/month.
Which city has higher income, Tacoma or Dayton?
Median household income is $83,857 in Tacoma and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $40,403/year higher in Tacoma.
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 Tacoma or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Tacoma has a cost index of 126 with median rent of $1,597/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 Tacoma details → View Dayton details →

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