in our guides
of 10
Affordable cities for outdoor lovers
read the guideof 10
Best mid-sized US cities
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Best cities to leave San Francisco for
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Most vibrant and affordable cities
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Best affordable cities to retire
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Best cities for retirees who love the outdoors
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Cheapest cities in America
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Best cities to leave New York for
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Best cities to leave Los Angeles for
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Affordable alternatives to Denver
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Best cities to live in the Midwest
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Best cities for a $75k salary
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Best cities to leave Boston for
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Best cities to buy a home
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Most affordable cities to buy a home
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Best cities to leave Nashville for
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Affordable alternatives to Nashville
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Best cities where buying beats renting
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Best cities to leave DC for
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Best cities in the Great Lakes region
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Best cities for creatives and artists
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Best cities for a $60k salary
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Best cities to retire early
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Affordable alternatives to Boise
read the guide01 · the verdict
the verdict
below Columbia's monthly cost
The gap is real. Dayton costs noticeably less than Columbia, every month.
02 · the money
a quick ledger.
$1,321/mo
15% cheaper than Columbia(vs $1,551/mo)
3.99%
$209/mo less in state tax than Columbia
vs 6.5% in Columbia
$6,680/mo
$439 more than Columbia
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$139k
46% cheaper than Columbia
vs $255k in Columbia
808k
vs 857k in Columbia
03 · the life
field notes, weather & such.
171
pleasant days a year, in dayton.
Columbia actually gets more: 189 pleasant days a year. Cold snaps are part of the year: 34 days below 20° here, 2 in Columbia.
About as much going on as in Columbia.
62/100
13% higher than Columbia
vs 55/100 in Columbia
Closest outdoor draw: Sycamore State Park, 9.9 mi.
89/100
5% higher than Columbia
vs 85/100 in Columbia
16
60% more than Columbia
vs 10 nonstops in Columbia

