$120K in Richmond = $101,633 in Dayton
Your $120K salary in Richmond (COL 98) has the same purchasing power as $101,633 in Dayton (COL 83). Dayton is cheaper — your money goes 15% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Richmond $120K | Dayton $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,575 | $6,805 |
| 1BR rent | $1,600 | $1,100 |
| Groceries | $369 | $361 |
| Transport | $70 | $60 |
| Utilities | $155 | $162 |
| Internet | $60 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $4,321/month | $5,064/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Richmond equivalent to in Dayton?
$120K in Richmond (COL index 98) has the same purchasing power as $101,633 in Dayton (COL index 83). That's 15% less than your current salary.
If I move from Richmond to Dayton keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Dayton, you'd have $743 more per month after core expenses — because Dayton is cheaper than Richmond.
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: $120K × (83 ÷ 98) = $101,633. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Richmond to Dayton
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only