📊 Lifestyle Match
Visualizing the tradeoffs between St. Charles and Dayton
Head-to-Head Analysis
St. Charles vs Dayton
Detailed breakdown of cost of living, income potential, and lifestyle metrics.
📋 The Details
Line-by-line data comparison.
| Category / Metric | St. Charles | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Overview | ||
| Median Income | $78,359 | $45,995 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3% | 4% |
| Housing Market | ||
| Median Home Price | $349,500 | $143,500 |
| Price per SqFt | $183 | $104 |
| Monthly Rent (1BR) | $972 | $800 |
| Housing Cost Index | 102.9 | 75.0 |
| Cost of Living | ||
| Groceries Index | 87.7 | 93.3 |
| Gas Price (Gallon) | $3.40 | $2.69 |
| Safety & Lifestyle | ||
| Violent Crime (per 100k) | 542.7 | 678.0 |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 42% | 25% |
| Air Quality (AQI) | 32 | 31 |
AI Verdict: The Bottom Line
Both cities have a similar cost of living (within 5%).
You could earn significantly more in St. Charles (+70% median income).
Analysis based on current data snapshot. Individual results may vary.
Expert Verdict
AI-generated analysis based on current data.
Moving from St. Charles to Dayton: What You Need to Know
Deciding between St. Charles and Dayton? This data-driven analysis breaks down the key differences in cost of living, housing, and quality of life to help you make the right choice.
1. Cost of Living Analysis
Both cities have a very similar cost of living. Your daily expenses in St. Charles will be roughly the same as in Dayton.
2. Housing Costs
Housing is the biggest factor here. Dayton offers much more affordable housing options.
The housing cost index in St. Charles is 102.9, compared to 75 in Dayton.
3. Income Potential
The median household income in St. Charles is $78,359, while in Dayton it is $45,995.
Workers in St. Charles typically earn 70.4% more. Be sure to balance this against the cost of living.
4. Safety
Statistically, St. Charles has a lower violent crime rate.
The Verdict
St. Charles combines affordability with a strong quality of life score. It's an excellent choice for value seekers.
Real move decision
If this comparison is tied to a job offer, do these next
Dayton is the more expensive city, so a bigger headline salary may still need a counteroffer once taxes, housing, and relocation costs are modeled.
Decode an offer in Dayton
Use Offer Decoder to test whether moving from St. Charles to Dayton actually improves your leftover cash after tax, rent, and benefits.
Build your counteroffer
Use the counteroffer guide when the package is close, but city costs or first-year move friction mean you still need more.
Set a walk-away number
Turn the salary gap and cost-of-living difference between St. Charles and Dayton into a defensible negotiation target.
Follow the relocation workflow
Use the full guide if this comparison is part of a real job move, not just casual browsing.
Planning a Move?
Use our AI-powered calculator to estimate your expenses from St. Charles to Dayton.