Dayton vs Columbia: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Dayton, OH and Columbia, SC, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Columbia, SC |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,305 | 136,754 |
| Median household income | $41,443 | $54,095 |
| Median home value | $86,200 | $226,200 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $830 | $1,105 |
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 Dayton, OH and Columbia, SC comes down to what you value most. Dayton has the lower median home value, and Dayton has the lower median rent.
Columbia 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 Dayton or Columbia?
- By median home value, Dayton is the cheaper of the two ($86,200 vs $226,200). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Dayton or Columbia?
- Median household income is $41,443 in Dayton versus $54,095 in Columbia, per the US Census Bureau.