Aurora CO 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)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 136,741 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 5.0% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 15.8% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.2% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 5.5% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $43,454 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $26,381 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,300 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 9.7% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 27.1% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 20.7% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 48.2% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1866 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 42.9% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 17.6% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 21.6% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.2% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 20.5% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Dayton
54.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Dayton
40.3 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 40.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Aurora + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, 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 512 in Aurora. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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