Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Dayton
34.2
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Dayton
38.0%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 136,741 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.2 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 5.0% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.7% | 38.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 5.5% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Dayton
$58,300
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Cincinnati +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $43,454 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $26,381 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,300 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 9.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 27.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 20.7% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 48.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Dayton
319
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Dayton
1866
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1866 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cincinnati +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 42.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 21.6% | Cincinnati + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 20.5% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 54.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 40.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Dayton
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, 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 319 in Cincinnati. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Dayton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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