CostIndexUSA

Dayton, OH vs Los Angeles, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Dayton
92.7
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
CA
Los Angeles
113.6
overall index
$2,875/mo rent

Dayton is significantly cheaper than Los Angeles — 22.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $98,000 in Los Angeles. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+134.4%
Dayton
72.7
Los Angeles
170.4
🛒 Groceries+13.9%
Dayton
93.6
Los Angeles
106.6
🚗 Transportation+5.5%
Dayton
103.9
Los Angeles
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+5.4%
Dayton
94
Los Angeles
99.1
Utilities+66.2%
Dayton
95.4
Los Angeles
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$98,000
$18,000 more needed in Los Angeles

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 1.2255. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Dayton, OH

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

Los Angeles, CA

Median Home Price
$944,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.4×

Los Angeles has 134.4% higher housing costs compared to Dayton.

Income & Job Market

Dayton, OH

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

Los Angeles, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
3,979,576
Top Industries
EntertainmentTechnologyHealthcareLogisticsReal Estate

Affordability at a Glance

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

Dayton, OH
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Los Angeles, CA
2.7×income-to-rent ratio

63% 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.