Cost of Living in Dayton, OH - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $920 (excluding rent), and $2,219 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,731 (excluding rent), and $4,208 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.81 $16.81

$12.23 $12.23

$32.60 $32.60

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$60.3 $60.3

$50.2 $50.2

$100 $100

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.16 $10.16

$8.63 $8.63

$10.16 $10.16

Cappuccino

$4.14 $4.14

$3.01 $3.01

$6.02 $6.02

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.33 $2.33

$1.99 $1.99

$2.98 $2.98

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.17 $1.17

$1.96 $1.96

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.13 $4.13

$2.92 $2.92

$9.73 $9.73

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.88 $5.88

$4.41 $4.41

$14.71 $14.71

Milk (1 liter)

$0.79 $0.79

$0.70 $0.70

$0.89 $0.89

White Bread (500g)

$2.38 $2.38

$1.54 $1.54

$3.55 $3.55

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.63 $3.63

$2.16 $2.16

$5.61 $5.61

Eggs

$3.41 $3.41

$2.39 $2.39

$5.39 $5.39

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.43 $11.43

$4.36 $4.36

$14.38 $14.38

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$18.69 $18.69

$9.87 $9.87

$27.51 $27.51

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.31 $15.31

$13.24 $13.24

$30.92 $30.92

Apples (1kg)

$4.87 $4.87

$3.88 $3.88

$5.64 $5.64

Banana (1kg)

$1.62 $1.62

$1.10 $1.10

$2.25 $2.25

Oranges (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$2.41 $2.41

$9.85 $9.85

Tomato (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$2.89 $2.89

$6.04 $6.04

Potato (1kg)

$2.89 $2.89

$2.18 $2.18

$3.72 $3.72

Onion (1kg)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.16 $2.16

$4.32 $4.32

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.18 $2.18

$1.82 $1.82

$2.84 $2.84

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.77 $2.77

$2.03 $2.03

$3.05 $3.05

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.35 $9.35

$8.05 $8.05

$13.58 $13.58

Wine (Bottle)

$12.09 $12.09

$10.07 $10.07

$30.23 $30.23

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 $1.71

$4.24 $4.24

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.70 $3.70

$1.97 $1.97

$6.89 $6.89

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.17 $4.17

$2.45 $2.45

$5.88 $5.88

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$60.4 $60.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.03 $5.03

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.74 $1.74

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$50.8 $50.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.80 $0.80

$0.67 $0.67

$0.86 $0.86

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.5K $29.5K

$23.2K $23.2K

$35.7K $35.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.3K $25.3K

$24.7K $24.7K

$25.9K $25.9K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$204 $204

$185 $185

$401 $401

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$44.94 $44.94

$39.73 $39.73

$51.7 $51.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.1 $63.1

$49.71 $49.71

$79.5 $79.5

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.98 $33.98

$28.54 $28.54

$35.67 $35.67

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$44.22 $44.22

Cinema Ticket

$13.17 $13.17

$10.13 $10.13

$14.19 $14.19

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$554 $554

$419 $419

$1,258 $1,258

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,911 $4,911

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.62 $46.62

$28.38 $28.38

$60.8 $60.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$34.43 $34.43

$59.0 $59.0

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.9 $73.9

$55.1 $55.1

$80.1 $80.1

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$106 $106

$69.9 $69.9

$200 $200

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,187 $1,187

$945 $945

$1,393 $1,393

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$922 $922

$868 $868

$993 $993

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,674 $1,674

$1,302 $1,302

$2,003 $2,003

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,385 $1,385

$1,212 $1,212

$1,818 $1,818

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,440 $1,440

$1,268 $1,268

$1,612 $1,612

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,372 $3,372

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.54

6.19

6.8

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

Last update: February 28, 2026

Dayton, OH Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Dayton, OH - Frequently Asked Questions

Dayton offers a practical middle ground between low-cost living and urban access. You'll find rentals and utilities that don't push up costs as quickly as bigger metros, with a mix of historic homes and newer apartments across neighborhoods like the Oregon District, Riverside, and Downtown. You'll notice a gentle trade-off between housing size and proximity to amenities, but most essentials – groceries, casual dining, and entertainment – remain affordable relative to larger cities. Public spaces, parks, and seasonal events add value without heavy price tags. Cost of Living in Dayton, OH, United States helps set expectations for short-term stays or longer moves. Tip: Test a few neighborhoods on weekends to gauge vibe and commute.

Daily life here is approachable and manageable. Start your housing search by targeting neighborhoods with good transit access, parking, and walkability, and expect leases that vary by size and term. Food options range from affordable grocery chains to farmers markets and ethnic eateries. The bus network and bike-friendly streets support budgeting for transport, while car sharing can trim upkeep costs. Co-working spaces and cafes offer stable spots for work, with reliable internet and reasonable day passes. Dayton, OH, United States living cost sits mid-range for the region, helping you plan groceries, utilities, and activities without sticker shock. Tip: Time your housing hunt with the academic calendar or local events to spot seasonal bargains.

Quality of life here benefits from a simple budgeting approach and thoughtful neighborhood choice. Use a monthly framework that caps housing, utilities, and groceries, then allocate separate lines for dining and entertainment. Seasonality matters: heating costs climb in winter, while summers invite outdoor activities and cheaper seasonal events. Neighborhood fit matters: downtown, university-adjacent areas, and family-friendly suburbs each offer a different pace and price range. Practical savings come from cooking at home, buying in bulk, and tapping library programs and free community activities. Tip: Build a rotating plan to sample multiple neighborhoods before choosing your base.