Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Dayton
34.2
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Dayton
51.3%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 136,741 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 5.0% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 51.3% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 1.2% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 5.5% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Athens +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Athens +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $43,454 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $26,381 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,300 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 9.7% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 27.1% | Athens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 20.7% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 48.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Dayton
1866
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1866 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Dayton
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 54.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 40.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Athens +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Dayton
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Athens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Athens leads in median household income at $51,655, 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 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Athens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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