Charlotte 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 136,741 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 5.0% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 34.1% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.2% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 5.5% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $43,454 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $26,381 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,300 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 9.7% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 27.1% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 20.7% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 48.2% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
| Metric | Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 42.9% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 17.6% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 21.6% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.2% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 20.5% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 54.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 40.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, 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 Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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