CostIndexUSA

Buffalo, NY vs Dayton, OH Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NY
Buffalo
95.8
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
More AffordableOH
Dayton
92.7
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Dayton is slightly cheaper than Buffalo — 3.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Buffalo, you would need $77,400 in Dayton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing10.2%
Buffalo
81
Dayton
72.7
🛒 Groceries6.1%
Buffalo
99.7
Dayton
93.6
🚗 Transportation+1.3%
Buffalo
102.6
Dayton
103.9
🏥 Healthcare+1.2%
Buffalo
92.9
Dayton
94
Utilities26.3%
Buffalo
129.5
Dayton
95.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Dayton, OH
$77,400
$2,600 less needed in Dayton

Formula: salary × (92.7 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 0.9676. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Buffalo, NY

Median Home Price
$269,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
81
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3×

Dayton, OH

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

Buffalo has 10.2% lower housing costs compared to Dayton.

Income & Job Market

Buffalo, NY

Median Household Income
$69,900
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
261,025
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceGovernment

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).

Buffalo, NY
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.