Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Dayton, OH and Erfurt

For one person, living costs are similar in Dayton, OH and in Erfurt: $2,214 and $2,202 a month, rent and utilities included.

Dayton, OH
🇺🇸 United States
$2,214
/mo nomad
Erfurt
🇩🇪 Germany
$2,202
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Dayton, OH and in Erfurt

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Dayton, OH and in Erfurt actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,214 in Dayton, OH versus $2,202 in Erfurt.

  • Dayton, OH $2,214
  • Erfurt $2,202

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,280 in Dayton, OH versus $3,223 in Erfurt.

  • Dayton, OH $3,280
  • Erfurt $3,223

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,345 in Dayton, OH versus $4,243 in Erfurt.

  • Dayton, OH $4,345
  • Erfurt $4,243

Living in Dayton, OH is roughly 1% more expensive than in Erfurt, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Dayton, OH 63% above, Erfurt 63% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Dayton, OH
Erfurt
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.47 $14.47
$14.86 €13.22
-2.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$71.1 $71.1
$67.8 €60.3
4.91%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.90 $9.90
$11.18 €9.95
-11.45%
Cappuccino
$4.25 $4.25
$3.34 €2.97
27.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24 $2.24
$4.27 €3.80
-47.54%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 $1.86
$7.79 €6.93
-76.12%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.62 $4.62
$4.36 €3.88
5.96%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.93 $5.93
$4.93 €4.39
20.28%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Dayton, OH
Erfurt
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.79 $0.79
$1.34 €1.19
-41.04%
White Bread (500g)
$2.72 $2.72
$2.14 €1.91
27.10%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.77 $3.77
$3.19 €2.84
18.18%
Eggs
$3.61 $3.61
$3.14 €2.79
14.97%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.32 $13.32
$14.39 €12.80
-7.44%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$24.28 $24.28
$10.39 €9.24
133.69%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.25 $17.25
$18.22 €16.21
-5.32%
Apples (1kg)
$5.87 $5.87
$3.27 €2.91
79.51%
Banana (1kg)
$1.94 $1.94
$2.08 €1.85
-6.73%
Oranges (1kg)
$7.23 $7.23
$3.44 €3.06
110.17%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.23 $5.23
$3.85 €3.43
35.84%
Potato (1kg)
$2.70 $2.70
$2.19 €1.95
23.29%
Onion (1kg)
$3.16 $3.16
$1.43 €1.27
120.98%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.21 $2.21
$1.58 €1.41
39.87%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.78 $2.78
$0.84 €0.75
230.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.68 $9.68
$9.78 €8.70
-1.02%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.70 $19.70
$6.76 €6.02
191.42%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 $1.76
$1.09 €0.97
61.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.56 $3.56
$1.48 €1.32
140.54%
🚌 Getting Around
Dayton, OH
Erfurt
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$4.02 $4.02
$3.35 €2.98
20.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$49.33 $49.33
$70.3 €62.5
-29.84%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.07 $5.07
$5.29 €4.70
-4.16%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.81 $1.81
$4.04 €3.59
-55.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$50.9 $50.9
$44.05 €39.19
15.48%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.03 $1.03
$2.13 €1.89
-51.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.5K $27.5K
$33.4K €29.7K
-17.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8K $26.8K
$37.8K €33.6K
-29.13%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dayton, OH
Erfurt
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$205 $205
$679 €604
-69.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$50.2 $50.2
$28.24 €25.12
77.58%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$59.1 $59.1
$33.73 €30.00
75.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Dayton, OH
Erfurt
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.95 $32.95
$40.97 €36.45
-19.58%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$45.30 $45.30
$29.41 €26.16
54.03%
Cinema Ticket
$14.14 $14.14
$15.37 €13.67
-8.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Dayton, OH
Erfurt
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$529 $529
$454 €404
16.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,520 $6,520
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Dayton, OH
Erfurt
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.13 $39.13
$93.5 €83.1
-58.13%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.07 $47.07
$31.68 €28.18
48.58%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$70.4 $70.4
$119 €106
-40.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 $122
$111 €99.0
9.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Dayton, OH
Erfurt
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,194 $1,194
$743 €661
60.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$901 $901
$528 €470
70.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,597 $1,597
$1,590 €1,414
0.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,398 $1,398
$1,095 €974
27.66%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$4,682 €4,165
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,451 $1,451
$2,427 €2,158
-40.22%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Dayton, OH
Erfurt
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,416 $3,416
$3,023 €2,689
13.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.74
3.95
70.63%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Dayton, OH: October 19, 2026

Last update for Erfurt: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Dayton, OH
$901
Erfurt
$528 41.4% $372
Groceries & Markets
Dayton, OH
$486
Erfurt
$320 34.2% $166
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dayton, OH
$314
Erfurt
$741 136% $427
Eating Out
Dayton, OH
$248
Erfurt
$272 9.9% $25
Clothing & Footwear
Dayton, OH
$126
Erfurt
$160 27.5% $34
Getting Around
Dayton, OH
$80
Erfurt
$109 37.2% $30
Sport & Entertainment
Dayton, OH
$61
Erfurt
$72 17.1% $10

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,194 in Dayton, OH and $743 in Erfurt. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dayton, OH pays 13% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $71.0 in Dayton, OH vs $68.0 in Erfurt for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $486 vs $320 per month, with Erfurt cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Dayton, OH
🇩🇪 Erfurt
🕒 Local time
21:16 9:16 PM
03:16 3:16 AM
6 h ahead of Dayton, OH
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
156,771
215,000
💱 Currency
Euro EUR €
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Euro exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 USD = 0.889 EUR (1 EUR = 1.12 USD).

On the map
Between locations
  • Dayton, OH Erfurt 7,010 km ≈ 9 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Dayton, OH
  • Erfurt

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Dayton, OH vs Erfurt: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Dayton, OH or Erfurt?
Erfurt wins on cost – living expenses run 1% lower than in Dayton, OH. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Erfurt the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Dayton, OH or in Erfurt?
Average pay runs 13% higher in Dayton, OH, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Dayton, OH compared to Erfurt?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,194 in Dayton, OH versus $743 in Erfurt. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Dayton, OH compared to Erfurt?
All in, you'll spend $2,214 per month in Dayton, OH versus $2,202 in Erfurt – a 1% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Dayton, OH compared to Erfurt?
A monthly transit pass in Erfurt runs roughly 43% less than in Dayton, OH. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Dayton, OH or in Erfurt?
At $2,202 in Erfurt versus $2,214 in Dayton, OH, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Erfurt but tight or insufficient in Dayton, OH. The gap between the two cities makes Erfurt the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Dayton, OH or Erfurt?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Dayton, OH compared to Erfurt?
Safety-wise, Dayton, OH and Erfurt are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Erfurt gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1% less than in Dayton, OH. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Dayton, OH vs other spots: cost of living compared

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