in our guides
of 10
Affordable cities for outdoor lovers
read the guideof 10
Best mid-sized US cities
read the guideof 10
Best cities to leave San Francisco for
read the guideof 10
Most vibrant and affordable cities
read the guideof 10
Best affordable cities to retire
read the guideof 10
Best cities for retirees who love the outdoors
read the guideof 10
Cheapest cities in America
read the guideof 10
Best cities to leave New York for
read the guideof 10
Best cities to leave Los Angeles for
read the guideof 10
Affordable alternatives to Denver
read the guideof 10
Best cities to live in the Midwest
read the guideof 10
Best cities for a $75k salary
read the guideof 10
Best cities to leave Boston for
read the guideof 10
Best cities to buy a home
read the guideof 10
Most affordable cities to buy a home
read the guideof 10
Best cities to leave Nashville for
read the guideof 10
Affordable alternatives to Nashville
read the guideof 10
Best cities where buying beats renting
read the guideof 10
Best cities to leave DC for
read the guideof 10
Best cities in the Great Lakes region
read the guideof 10
Best cities for creatives and artists
read the guideof 10
Best cities for a $60k salary
read the guideof 10
Best cities to retire early
read the guideof 10
Affordable alternatives to Boise
read the guide01 · the verdict
the verdict
below Madison's monthly cost
The gap is real. Dayton costs noticeably less than Madison, every month.
02 · the money
a quick ledger.
$1,321/mo
21% cheaper than Madison(vs $1,673/mo)
3.99%
$190/mo less in state tax than Madison
vs 6.27% in Madison
$6,680/mo
$542 more than Madison
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$139k
70% cheaper than Madison
vs $465k in Madison
808k
vs 694k in Madison
03 · the life
field notes, weather & such.
171
pleasant days a year, in dayton.
Madison only logs 147 pleasant days.
Noticeably quieter than Madison. About 65% fewer events on a typical month.
62/100
7% lower than Madison
vs 67/100 in Madison
Closest outdoor draw: Sycamore State Park, 9.9 mi.
89/100
1% higher than Madison
vs 88/100 in Madison
16
45% more than Madison
vs 11 nonstops in Madison
04 · see also
same energy as dayton, different zip code:

