Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Dayton
34.2
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Boston
47.8%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 136,741 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 34.2 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 5.0% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 21.5% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 1.2% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 5.5% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Boston +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Boston +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $43,454 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $26,381 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,300 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 9.7% | Boston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 27.1% | Boston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 20.7% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 48.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Dayton
1866
| Metric | Boston, MA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1866 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 42.9% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 17.6% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 21.6% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 11.2% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 20.5% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Dayton
54.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 54.1°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 40.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Boston +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, 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 326 in Boston. Boston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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