Can I Afford to Live in Dayton vs Laredo on $80K?

Here's how a $80K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Dayton, OH
$4,823/mo take-home
Rent: $1,100/mo (23% of take-home)
Comfortable
Laredo, TX
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $950/mo (19% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Dayton
OH
Laredo
TX
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,823
$5,057Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,100
$950Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$361
$338Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$60
$35Best ✓
Utilities
$162Best ✓
$168
Internet
$58Best ✓
$58
Left after essentials
$3,082/month
$3,508/month
Laredo (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Dayton (OH rate: 3.5%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Dayton?

At $80K/year in Dayton, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,823. With 1BR rent around $1,100/month, rent takes up 23% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Is $80K a good salary in Laredo?

At $80K/year in Laredo, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $950/month, rent takes up 19% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $80K salary?

Laredo leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,508/month vs $3,082/month in Dayton.

Can I afford to live alone in Dayton on $80K?

Yes. At $80K in Dayton, rent takes 23% of your take-home, leaving $3,082/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Dayton vs Laredo

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See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only