Dayton wins overall by ~7% (COL index)
Cost of living: Indianapolis vs Dayton (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Indianapolis buys roughly what $55,955 does in Dayton (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$1,501/yr
Favoring Dayton for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $125/mo in Dayton, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Indianapolis Indiana | Dayton Ohio | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $950 | $900Better | Dayton wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Dayton |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,200 | $1,100Better | Dayton wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Dayton |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,550 | $1,450Better | Dayton wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Dayton |
| Median home price | $260K | $200KWins | Dayton wins −$60K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 94Better | 95 | Indianapolis wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $12 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Better | $50 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $60Better | $60 | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05Better | $3.10 | Indianapolis wins +$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $140Better | $148 | Indianapolis wins +$8/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $155Better | $162 | Indianapolis wins +$7/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $55Better | $58 | Indianapolis wins +$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $55KBetter | $50K | Indianapolis wins −$5K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 3.2%Better | 3.5% | Indianapolis wins +0.3 pp | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0%Better | 7.2% | Indianapolis wins +0.2 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00 | $13.00Better | Dayton wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33Better | $35 | Indianapolis wins +$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Better | $5.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 89 | 83Better | Dayton wins -6 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 28 | 44Wins | Dayton wins +16 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Dayton fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Dayton.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
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Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Indianapolis cheaper than Dayton?
No. Dayton is 7% cheaper than Indianapolis based on overall cost of living indices (83 vs 89, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Indianapolis vs Dayton?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Indianapolis is $1,200/month and in Dayton is $1,100/month. Indianapolis is more expensive by 9%.
How much do I need to earn in Dayton to match a $75,000 salary in Indianapolis?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $69,944/year in Dayton to match a $75,000 salary in Indianapolis. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Indianapolis or Dayton?
Indianapolis has the lower state income tax rate at 3.2% vs 3.5%. The difference is 0.3 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Indianapolis to Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Dayton offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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