2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Lancaster, PA vs Dayton, OH

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Dayton or is it cheaper to live in Lancaster?
- Dayton is 19.8% less expensive than Lancaster.

Which city has more affordable housing, Dayton or Lancaster?
- Dayton housing costs are 71.2% less expensive than Lancaster housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Lancaster or is Health Care more affordable in Dayton.
- Health related expenses are 19.5% less in Dayton.
 Lancaster, PADayton, OHUnited States
 Overall  Unlock79.8100
 Food & Groceries102.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock90.3100
 Housing73.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$104,600$338,100
 Utilities104  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock81.1100
 Miscellaneous113.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Lancaster    14 Reviews

Lancaster is really nice in some parts, but it seems like the further away you get from downtown the worse it gets. I grew up around Saint Joseph and manor and saw  More

   |    Reply

I was there last weekend and was extremely favorably impressed. The only hesitation, and question, I have about the place is the high crime rate. It is hard to tell from  More

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

Lancaster is the nation's oldest inland city located in central PA amid Amish farmlands. Walkable and soon to be bike friendly, it offers a variety of great restaurants  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Lancaster

Reviews for Dayton    32 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

I've lived in Dayton Ohio for over 7 years. I live in a historic district within a short walk to Oregon district and down town. The summer concert series at Levitt  More

   |    Reply

Over 7 years ago

Spent years assigned at WPAFB (in Mar 90 - Aug 95') and lived in Oakwood for 5 years. We loved it and have nothing negative to say. Locals were friendly and interested  More

   |    Reply

I spent four and a half miserable years here. Essentially, your only employment opportunities are in healthcare or at the base. I worked at the base; they were  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Dayton


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.