Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Dayton
51.3%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Boca Raton +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 136,741 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 5.0% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 51.3% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 5.5% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Boca Raton +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $43,454 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $26,381 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,300 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 9.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 27.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 20.7% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 48.2% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Dayton
1866
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1866 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 42.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 17.6% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 21.6% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 20.5% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Dayton
54.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Dayton
40.3 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | 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.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Boca Raton +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boca Raton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, 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 324 in Boca Raton. Boca Raton has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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