Anaheim CA 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)

Anaheim, CA

California · Population: 344,553

  • Median HH Income$90,583
  • Median Home Price$952,227
  • Unemployment5.5%
  • Bachelor's+28.7%

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
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Dayton
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Anaheim +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Anaheim +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Anaheim +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Anaheim +
Dayton
20.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Dayton
1866
Dayton +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Anaheim +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Anaheim +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Dayton
20.5%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Dayton
40.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Anaheim +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Anaheim +
Dayton
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +

Which City is Right for You?

Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, 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 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Anaheim has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.

Compare More Cities

About Anaheim & Dayton