Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Dayton
38.0%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 136,741 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 5.0% | Cleveland + |
| White | 36.7% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 46.8% | 38.0% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.2% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 5.5% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Dayton
$43,454
Dayton +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Cleveland +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Dayton
$58,300
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Dayton
9.7%
Dayton +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Dayton
27.1%
Dayton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Cleveland +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $43,454 | Dayton + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $26,381 | Cleveland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,300 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 9.7% | Dayton + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 27.1% | Dayton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 20.7% | Cleveland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Dayton
$138,867
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $138,867 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 48.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Dayton
319
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Dayton
1866
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
42.2%
Cleveland +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Dayton
17.6%
Dayton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Cleveland +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Dayton
20.5%
Dayton +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 42.9% | Cleveland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.6% | Dayton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 21.6% | Cleveland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.2% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 20.5% | Dayton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Dayton
54.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Dayton
40.3 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 54.1°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 40.3 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Dayton
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dayton leads in median household income at $43,454, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cleveland. Dayton has a lower unemployment rate at 9.7%, and Dayton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cleveland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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