Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Dayton
38.0%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 136,741 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 5.0% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 60.0% | 38.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.2% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 5.5% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $43,454 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $26,381 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $58,300 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 9.7% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 27.1% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 20.7% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 48.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Dayton
1866
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1866 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Baltimore +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 42.9% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.6% | Baltimore + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 21.6% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.2% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 20.5% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 54.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 40.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, 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 433 in Baltimore. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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