Allen TX 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)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
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
Allen
107,684
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Dayton
51.3%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Allen +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 136,741 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 5.0% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 51.3% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 1.2% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 5.5% | Allen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Allen +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $43,454 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $26,381 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,300 | Allen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 9.7% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 27.1% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 20.7% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 48.2% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1866 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 42.9% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 17.6% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 21.6% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.2% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 20.5% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
Dayton
40.3 in
| Metric | Allen, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 54.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 40.3 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Allen +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Dayton
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allen, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Allen + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, 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 442 in Allen. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Allen has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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