CostIndexUSA

Atlanta, GA vs Dayton, OH Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

GA
Atlanta
100.1
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
More AffordableOH
Dayton
92.7
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Dayton is moderately cheaper than Atlanta — 7.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlanta, you would need $74,100 in Dayton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing34.5%
Atlanta
111
Dayton
72.7
🛒 Groceries6.8%
Atlanta
100.4
Dayton
93.6
🚗 Transportation+2.4%
Atlanta
101.5
Dayton
103.9
🏥 Healthcare+2.3%
Atlanta
91.9
Dayton
94
Utilities0.8%
Atlanta
96.2
Dayton
95.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Atlanta to see what you'd need to earn in Dayton to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Dayton, OH
$74,100
$5,900 less needed in Dayton

Formula: salary × (92.7 ÷ 100.1) = salary × 0.9261. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
111
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3×

Dayton, OH

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
72.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.1×

Atlanta has 34.5% lower housing costs compared to Dayton.

Income & Job Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Household Income
$86,500
Per Capita Income
$49,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
498,715
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyMediaHealthcareLogistics

Dayton, OH

Median Household Income
$67,100
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
137,630
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareMilitaryEducationGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Atlanta, GA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Dayton, OH
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.