Albany NY vs Dayton OH — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Dayton
34.2
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Dayton
51.3%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 136,741 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 5.0% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 51.3% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 1.2% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 5.5% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Albany +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Albany +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $43,454 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $26,381 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,300 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 9.7% | Albany + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 27.1% | Albany + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 20.7% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 48.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Dayton
1866
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1866 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 42.9% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 17.6% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 21.6% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.2% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 20.5% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Dayton
54.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Dayton
40.3 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 54.1°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 40.3 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Dayton
22.2 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.2 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Albany has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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