Pasadena vs Dayton: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Pasadena, CA and Dayton, OH, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Dayton, OH |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,554 | 137,305 |
| Median household income | $97,818 | $41,443 |
| Median home value | $981,600 | $86,200 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,100 | $830 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Pasadena, CA and Dayton, OH comes down to what you value most. Dayton has the lower median home value, and Dayton has the lower median rent.
Pasadena has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Pasadena or Dayton?
- By median home value, Dayton is the cheaper of the two ($86,200 vs $981,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Pasadena or Dayton?
- Median household income is $97,818 in Pasadena versus $41,443 in Dayton, per the US Census Bureau.