Cost of Living in Dayton, OH
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Price level
92.7
U.S. average = 100 · #222 of 387
Median wage
$49,980
all jobs · $3,479/mo take-home
1-bedroom rent
$1,009
HUD fair market rent
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Dayton, OH to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Salary needed to keep your lifestyle
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Prices in Dayton, OH vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 92.7 | −7.3% |
| Housing | 72.7 | −27.3% |
| Goods | 93.6 | −6.4% |
| Utilities | 95.4 | −4.6% |
| Other services | 98.9 | −1.1% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Dayton, OH
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $928 | $37,120/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,009 | $40,360/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,273 | $50,920/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,651 | $66,040/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,817 | $72,680/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Dayton, OH
Your take-home pay
$41,747
per year · effective tax rate 16.5%
$3,479Monthly
$1,739Twice a month
$1,606Every 2 weeks
$20.07Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,818
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,099
- Medicare (1.45%)$725
- Ohio income tax$592
- Take-home pay$41,747
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.75% state
Highest-paying jobs in Dayton, OH
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $239,200+ | $216,922 | $234,019 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $163,700 | $119,436 | $128,849 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $160,040 | $117,035 | $126,259 |
| Engineers, All Other | $142,080 | $105,253 | $113,549 |
| Physician Assistant | $138,400 | $102,839 | $110,944 |
| Managers, All Other | $137,780 | $102,432 | $110,506 |
| Financial Manager | $137,140 | $102,012 | $110,053 |
| Pharmacist | $136,110 | $101,337 | $109,324 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $135,000 | $100,608 | $108,538 |
| Sales Manager | $133,450 | $99,592 | $107,441 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $129,410 | $96,941 | $104,582 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $120,220 | $90,881 | $98,044 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,210 | $89,522 | $96,578 |
| Marketing Manager | $117,250 | $88,873 | $95,878 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $116,580 | $88,420 | $95,390 |
| Information Security Analyst | $111,430 | $84,939 | $91,634 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $110,740 | $84,473 | $91,131 |
| Software Developer | $106,910 | $81,884 | $88,337 |
| Logistician | $105,060 | $80,633 | $86,988 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $104,180 | $80,038 | $86,347 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dayton, OH expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area are 92.7% of the U.S. average, with housing at 72.7%. It is the #222 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Dayton, OH?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $55,616 in Dayton, OH (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $49,980.
How much is rent in Dayton, OH?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Dayton, OH are $928 for a studio, $1,009 for one bedroom, $1,273 for two bedrooms and $1,651 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Dayton, OH
Management Occupations
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $163,700
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $160,040
- Managers, All Other — $137,780
- Financial Manager — $137,140
- Sales Manager — $133,450
- Marketing Manager — $117,250
- Industrial Production Manager — $104,180
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $103,560
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary — $102,400
- Construction Manager — $98,070
- General and Operations Manager — $98,030
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers — $97,980
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary — $79,750
- Food Service Manager — $62,380
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers — $58,440
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Financial Specialists, All Other — $110,740
- Logistician — $105,060
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $102,660
- Management Analyst — $101,150
- Project Management Specialist — $98,130
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $94,520
- Accountant and Auditor — $79,030
- Cost Estimator — $79,020
- Human Resources Specialist — $69,030
- Compliance Officer — $68,120
- Loan Officer — $66,070
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $64,100
- Training and Development Specialist — $59,470
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $116,580
- Information Security Analyst — $111,430
- Software Developer — $106,910
- Computer Systems Analyst — $100,360
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $95,680
- Computer User Support Specialist — $58,870
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Engineers, All Other — $142,080
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $135,000
- Aerospace Engineer — $129,410
- Electrical Engineer — $103,720
- Mechanical Engineer — $101,180
- Industrial Engineer — $99,550
- Civil Engineer — $95,270
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Healthcare Social Worker — $63,080
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $60,650
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $59,790
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $49,630
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $38,170
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $104,170
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $58,680
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School — $81,630
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $80,360
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School — $79,140
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $78,970
- Postsecondary Teachers, All Other — $78,230
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $74,420
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary — $66,190
- Self-Enrichment Teacher — $37,160
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,980
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $35,050
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $34,980
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
- Public Relations Specialist — $63,900
- Graphic Designer — $61,030
- Coach and Scout — $44,500
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $35,880
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Physician Assistant — $138,400
- Pharmacist — $136,110
- Nurse Practitioner — $118,210
- Occupational Therapist — $103,840
- Physical Therapist — $103,330
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $96,920
- Dental Hygienist — $84,500
- Registered Nurse — $82,510
- Respiratory Therapist — $81,420
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $78,750
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $61,770
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $60,140
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other — $48,520
- Pharmacy Technician — $45,000
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $64,930
- Dental Assistant — $48,710
- Medical Assistant — $43,610
- Nursing Assistant — $41,670
- Phlebotomist — $40,250
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $34,980
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $76,310
- Firefighter — $57,400
- Security Guard — $36,510
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $36,680
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $36,680
- Waiter and Waitress — $36,600
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,700
- Food Preparation Worker — $33,110
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $31,200
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $30,020
- Bartender — $29,830
- Dishwasher — $29,580
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $27,680
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $26,990
- Cooks, Fast Food — $26,950
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $37,880
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $35,910
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $31,900
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $36,580
- Recreation Worker — $33,130
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $30,590
- Animal Caretaker — $29,400
- Childcare Worker — $29,140
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $26,200
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $67,880
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $61,640
- Insurance Sales Agent — $59,420
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $46,930
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $37,710
- Parts Salesperson — $36,090
- Retail Salesperson — $30,360
- Cashier — $28,750
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $64,510
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $64,000
- Postal Service Mail Carrier — $62,070
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $54,080
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs — $49,050
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $48,970
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks — $47,010
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $46,310
- Billing and Posting Clerk — $46,210
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $45,570
- Customer Service Representative — $44,970
- Teller — $43,940
- Office Clerks, General — $42,840
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $42,730
- Receptionist and Information Clerk — $35,360
- Library Assistants, Clerical — $30,220
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $80,220
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $64,050
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $62,940
- Electrician — $61,870
- Carpenter — $58,330
- Construction Laborer — $53,000
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $79,340
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist — $62,730
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $62,620
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $62,500
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $50,710
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $47,100
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $68,080
- Machinist — $59,050
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $50,390
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $48,230
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator — $48,150
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $46,700
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $46,490
- Printing Press Operator — $45,760
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers — $44,160
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $43,960
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $43,250
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $41,110
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $39,940
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender — $39,770
- Production Workers, All Other — $38,340
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker — $33,440
- Baker — $30,250
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $62,710
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $59,490
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $45,120
- Light Truck Driver — $42,200
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,280
- Stocker and Order Filler — $36,750
- Packers and Packagers, Hand — $35,360
- Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment — $34,990
- Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur — $31,450
- Driver/Sales Worker — $29,580