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 Santa Maria, every month
Dayton runs on a fraction of Santa Maria's budget. Same paycheck, real lifestyle upgrade.
02 · the money
a quick ledger.
$1,321/mo
61% cheaper than Santa Maria(vs $3,352/mo)
3.99%
$442/mo less in state tax than Santa Maria
vs 9.3% in Santa Maria
$6,680/mo
$2,474 more than Santa Maria
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$139k
87% cheaper than Santa Maria
vs $1059k in Santa Maria
808k
vs 441k in Santa Maria
03 · the life
field notes, weather & such.
171
pleasant days a year, in dayton.
Santa Maria actually gets more: 337 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 34 days below 20° vs Santa Maria's 0.
62/100
5% higher than Santa Maria
vs 59/100 in Santa Maria
Closest outdoor draw: Sycamore State Park, 9.9 mi.
89/100
2% higher than Santa Maria
vs 87/100 in Santa Maria
16
700% more than Santa Maria
vs 2 nonstops in Santa Maria
04 · see also
cities that play in dayton's register:

