$100K in Dayton = $115,663 in St. George
Your $100K salary in Dayton (COL 83) has the same purchasing power as $115,663 in St. George (COL 96). St. George is more expensive — you'd need 16% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $100K in both cities
What $100K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Dayton $100K | St. George $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,029 | $5,929 |
| 1BR rent | $1,100 | $1,300 |
| Groceries | $361 | $372 |
| Transport | $60 | $40 |
| Utilities | $162 | $148 |
| Internet | $58 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $4,288/month | $4,006/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in Dayton equivalent to in St. George?
$100K in Dayton (COL index 83) has the same purchasing power as $115,663 in St. George (COL index 96). That's 16% more than your current salary.
If I move from Dayton to St. George keeping my $100K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in St. George are higher, so on the same $100K salary you'd have $282 less per month. You'd need to earn $115,663 to maintain the same standard of living.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $100K × (96 ÷ 83) = $115,663. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Dayton to St. George
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only