Cary NC 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)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
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
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Dayton
51.3%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 136,741 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 5.0% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 51.3% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 1.2% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 5.5% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $43,454 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $26,381 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,300 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 9.7% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 27.1% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 20.7% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 48.2% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1866 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Dayton
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 42.9% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 17.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 21.6% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 11.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.6% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 20.5% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 54.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 40.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, 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 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cary has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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