Cost of Living: Tallahassee, FL vs Dayton, OH (2026)

Tallahassee

Florida
87
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Tallahassee is 74% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,238/mo ↑ 43%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 30%
$55,931/yr ↑ 29%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 22%
$276,000 ↑ 196%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 66%
$1,237/mo ↑ 48%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 33%
199,696
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

26.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tallahassee, FL and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 87 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $372/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $4,464/year.

Median household income is $12,477/year higher in Tallahassee. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tallahassee is $276,000 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tallahassee vs Dayton — common questions

Is Tallahassee or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 87 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tallahassee and Dayton?
Median rent in Tallahassee is $1,238/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $372/month.
Which city has higher income, Tallahassee or Dayton?
Median household income is $55,931 in Tallahassee and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $12,477/year higher in Tallahassee.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Ohio?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Tallahassee or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Tallahassee has a cost index of 87 with median rent of $1,238/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 Tallahassee details → View Dayton details →

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