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
under Phoenix, every month
Dayton gives you room Phoenix doesn't. Same gross salary, lower monthly cost of living.
02 · the money
a quick ledger.
$1,321/mo
24% cheaper than Phoenix(vs $1,739/mo)
3.99%
$124/mo more in state tax than Phoenix
vs 2.5% in Phoenix
$6,680/mo
$294 more than Phoenix
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$139k
70% cheaper than Phoenix
vs $458k in Phoenix
808k
vs 5.1M in Phoenix
03 · the life
field notes, weather & such.
171
pleasant days a year, in dayton.
Phoenix has the edge here, logging 181 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 34 days below 20° vs Phoenix's 0.
Noticeably quieter than Phoenix. About 93% fewer events on a typical month.
62/100
6% lower than Phoenix
vs 66/100 in Phoenix
Closest outdoor draw: Sycamore State Park, 9.9 mi.
89/100
8% lower than Phoenix
vs 97/100 in Phoenix
16
82% fewer than Phoenix
vs 91 nonstops in Phoenix

