Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Columbus +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Columbus
39.3%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Dayton
38.0%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 136,741 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 5.0% | Columbus + |
| White | 39.3% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 46.7% | 38.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.2% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 5.5% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $43,454 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $26,381 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,300 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 27.1% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 20.7% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 48.2% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Dayton
1866
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1866 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Columbus +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Columbus +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Dayton
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 42.9% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 17.6% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 21.6% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.2% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.6% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 20.5% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 54.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 40.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Columbus +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Dayton
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Columbus + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Dayton
22.2 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.2 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, 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 392 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Columbus has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.3%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, GA vs New York, NYColumbus, GA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, GAColumbus, GA vs Houston, TXColumbus, GA vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, GA vs Philadelphia, PA