Aurora IL 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, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
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
24,510
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Dayton
51.3%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Aurora +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 136,741 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 5.0% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 51.3% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.2% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 5.5% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Aurora +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Dayton
20.7%
Dayton +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $43,454 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $26,381 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,300 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 9.7% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 27.1% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 20.7% | Dayton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 48.2% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Dayton
1866
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1866 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 42.9% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 17.6% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 21.6% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.2% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 20.5% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Dayton
54.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Dayton
40.3 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 54.1°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 40.3 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Aurora +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Dayton
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, 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 344 in Aurora. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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