Moving from Columbia to Dayton (2026)
Dayton has a COL index of 83 vs 87 for Columbia (100 = US average). You'd pay about 5% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$127/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
8783
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,250$1,100
per month
State tax
6.2%3.5%
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,353$4,522
per month
Salary needed in Dayton to match your Columbia lifestyle
Based on the 5% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Columbia | Equivalent in Dayton |
|---|---|
| $40K | $38,161 |
| $50K | $47,701 |
| $60K | $57,241 |
| $75K | $71,552 |
| $80K | $76,322 |
| $100K | $95,402 |
| $120K | $114,483 |
| $150K | $143,103 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Columbia vs Dayton
| Expense | Columbia | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,353 | $4,522 |
| 1BR rent | $1,250 | $1,100 |
| Groceries | $361 | $361 |
| Transport | $45 | $60 |
| Utilities | $152 | $162 |
| Internet | $60 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $2,485 | $2,781 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Dayton cheaper than Columbia?
Yes. Dayton has a cost of living index of 83 vs 87 for Columbia (100 = US average). That's about 5% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Columbia to Dayton?
On a $75K salary, moving from Columbia to Dayton could save roughly $127/month on core expenses. That's ~$1,524/year.
What salary do I need in Dayton to match my Columbia lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Columbia, you'd need roughly $71,552/year in Dayton. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from Dayton to ColumbiaColumbia vs Dayton — full comparisonColumbia cost of livingDayton cost of living
Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates at $75K. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · For general guidance only