Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Dayton
34.2
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Dayton
51.3%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 136,741 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.2 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 5.0% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 51.3% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 1.2% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 5.5% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $43,454 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $26,381 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,300 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 9.7% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 27.1% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 20.7% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 48.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1866 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 42.9% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 17.6% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 21.6% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 11.2% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 20.5% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Dayton
40.3 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 54.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 40.3 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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