City comparison
Akron, OH vs Dayton, OH
What a paycheck is really worth in each city: prices, rent and state taxes.
Key findings
- Overall prices in Akron, OH (93.4) and Dayton, OH (92.7, U.S. average = 100) are within 1% of each other, so $100,000 in Akron, OH goes as far as $99,300 in Dayton, OH.
- Typical 1-bedroom rents are close: $985 a month in Akron, OH and $1,009 in Dayton, OH.
- Both are in OH, so estimated state income tax is the same: $1,968 a year on $100,000.
- For federal employees, locality pay changes a GS-13 step 1 salary by −0.7% moving from Akron, OH to Dayton, OH ($111,138 → $110,401), while prices change by −0.7%. Net effect of the transfer: +0.1% in real buying power.
- Akron, OH: price level 93.4 (cheaper)
- Dayton, OH: price level 92.7 (cheaper)
Map drawn from Census Bureau state boundaries and metro locations9,10; dot colours show BEA price levels2.
Side by side
| Akron, OH | Dayton, OH | |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (U.S. = 100)2 | 93.4 | 92.7 |
| $100,000 is worth, in the other city2 | $99,276 in Dayton | $100,729 in Akron |
| Typical 1-bedroom rent3 | $985/mo | $1,009/mo |
| Take-home on $100,00014,15,8 | $77,212 | $77,212 |
| State income tax on $100,000 (estimate)8 | $1,968 (OH) | $1,968 (OH) |
| Rent burden on $100,000 | 15% | 16% |
| Median pay, all jobs4 | $48,840 | $49,980 |
| Federal locality pay area7 | Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH-PA | Dayton-Springfield-Kettering, OH |
Rent areas: Akron, OH MSA and Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH MSA. Metro areas: Akron, OH and Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH.
What costs more or less
| Price level (U.S. = 100) | Akron | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | 76.8 | 72.7 |
| Goods | 93.6 | 93.6 |
| Utilities | 96.4 | 95.4 |
| Other services | 98.9 | 98.9 |
| Overall | 93.4 | 92.7 |
Moving with the same $100,000 salary
Akron, OH → Dayton, OH
Roughly even
Buying power +0.7%; rent takes 16% of take-home; state tax +$0/yr.
71 Strong offer
Dayton, OH → Akron, OH
Roughly even
Buying power −0.7%; rent takes 15% of take-home; state tax +$0/yr.
66 Fair offer
On the GS pay scale?
Akron, OH is in the Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH-PA pay area; Dayton, OH is in Dayton-Springfield-Kettering, OH. The last column shows what a transfer from Akron, OH to Dayton, OH at the same grade and step does to real buying power.
| Grade5,2 | Akron, OH | Dayton, OH | Real change, Akron → Dayton |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-9 step 1 | $64,448 | $64,021 | +0.1% |
| GS-11 step 1 | $77,977 | $77,460 | +0.1% |
| GS-12 step 1 | $93,461 | $92,841 | +0.1% |
| GS-13 step 1 | $111,138 | $110,401 | +0.1% |
| GS-14 step 1 | $131,331 | $130,461 | +0.1% |
Pay for common jobs
| Median annual pay4 | Akron, OH | Dayton, OH | Dayton pay in Akron dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $78,560 | $80,360 | $80,946 (+3.0%) |
| Software Developers | $105,430 | $106,910 | $107,690 (+2.1%) |
| Accountants and Auditors | $78,540 | $79,030 | $79,606 (+1.4%) |
| Registered Nurses | $80,770 | $82,510 | $83,112 (+2.9%) |
"Not published" means BLS doesn't release an estimate for that job in that metro.