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

Tampa

Florida
113
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Tampa is 126% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,567/mo ↑ 81%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 45%
$71,302/yr ↑ 64%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 39%
$375,300 ↑ 303%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 75%
$1,553/mo ↑ 86%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 46%
393,389
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tampa, FL and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $701/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $8,412/year.

Median household income is $27,848/year higher in Tampa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tampa is $375,300 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tampa vs Dayton — common questions

Is Tampa or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tampa and Dayton?
Median rent in Tampa is $1,567/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $701/month.
Which city has higher income, Tampa or Dayton?
Median household income is $71,302 in Tampa and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $27,848/year higher in Tampa.
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 Tampa or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Tampa has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,567/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 Tampa details → View Dayton details →

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