Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Bellevue +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Bellevue +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 136,741 | Bellevue + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 5.0% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 2.2% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 1.2% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 5.5% | Bellevue + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $43,454 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $26,381 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,300 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 9.7% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 27.1% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 20.7% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Bellevue +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 48.2% | Bellevue + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1866 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 42.9% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 17.6% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 21.6% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 11.2% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 20.5% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Dayton
54.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Dayton
40.3 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | 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.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Bellevue +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellevue + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, 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 383 in Bellevue. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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