Moving from Milwaukee to Dayton (2026)
Dayton has a COL index of 83 vs 89 for Milwaukee (100 = US average). You'd pay about 7% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$284/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
8983
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,350$1,100
per month
State tax
7.7%3.5%
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,259$4,522
per month
Salary needed in Dayton to match your Milwaukee lifestyle
Based on the 7% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Milwaukee | Equivalent in Dayton |
|---|---|
| $40K | $37,303 |
| $50K | $46,629 |
| $60K | $55,955 |
| $75K | $69,944 |
| $80K | $74,607 |
| $100K | $93,258 |
| $120K | $111,910 |
| $150K | $139,888 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Milwaukee vs Dayton
| Expense | Milwaukee | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,259 | $4,522 |
| 1BR rent | $1,350 | $1,100 |
| Groceries | $372 | $361 |
| Transport | $72 | $60 |
| Utilities | $168 | $162 |
| Internet | $63 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $2,234 | $2,781 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Dayton cheaper than Milwaukee?
Yes. Dayton has a cost of living index of 83 vs 89 for Milwaukee (100 = US average). That's about 7% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Milwaukee to Dayton?
On a $75K salary, moving from Milwaukee to Dayton could save roughly $284/month on core expenses. That's ~$3,408/year.
What salary do I need in Dayton to match my Milwaukee lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Milwaukee, you'd need roughly $69,944/year in Dayton. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from Dayton to MilwaukeeMilwaukee vs Dayton — full comparisonMilwaukee 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