Chandler AZ 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)

Chandler, AZ

Arizona · Population: 278,123

  • Median HH Income$103,691
  • Median Home Price$524,013
  • Unemployment3.6%
  • Bachelor's+46.8%

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
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Chandler
62.6%
Chandler +
Dayton
51.3%
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Dayton
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Chandler +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
Dayton
20.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
Dayton
48.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Dayton
1866
Dayton +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Dayton
20.5%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Dayton
54.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Dayton
40.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Chandler +
Dayton
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +

Which City is Right for You?

Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, 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 450 in Chandler. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Chandler & Dayton