in our guides
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Affordable cities for outdoor lovers
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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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Affordable alternatives to Boise
read the guide01 · the verdict
the verdict
lighter monthly cost than Des Moines
A near-tie on cost. What separates Dayton is the life around the numbers.
02 · the money
a quick ledger.
$1,321/mo
4% more expensive than Des Moines(vs $1,268/mo)
3.99%
$167/mo less in state tax than Des Moines
vs 6% in Des Moines
$6,680/mo
$115 more than Des Moines
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$139k
54% cheaper than Des Moines
vs $300k in Des Moines
808k
vs 737k in Des Moines
03 · the life
field notes, weather & such.
171
pleasant days a year, in dayton.
Des Moines keeps to 151 pleasant days a year.
70% fewer events than Des Moines. The pace eases up.
62/100
13% higher than Des Moines
vs 55/100 in Des Moines
Closest outdoor draw: Sycamore State Park, 9.9 mi.
89/100
14% higher than Des Moines
vs 78/100 in Des Moines
16
6% fewer than Des Moines
vs 17 nonstops in Des Moines
04 · see also
neighbors of dayton on the map of tradeoffs:

