Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Dayton
34.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Dayton
51.3%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 136,741 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 5.0% | Columbia + |
| White | 74.3% | 51.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.2% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 5.5% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Columbia +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Columbia +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $43,454 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $26,381 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,300 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 9.7% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 27.1% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 20.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 48.2% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1866 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 42.9% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 17.6% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 21.6% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 20.5% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°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.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Columbia +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Dayton
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Dayton
22.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 22.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, 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 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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