Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
906,480
Columbus +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Dayton
34.2
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Dayton
51.3%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 136,741 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.2 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 5.0% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 51.3% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.2% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 5.5% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Dayton
$58,300
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $43,454 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $26,381 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,300 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 27.1% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 20.7% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 48.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Dayton
319
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Dayton
1866
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Columbus +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 42.9% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.6% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 21.6% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.2% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 20.5% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Dayton
54.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Dayton
40.3 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 40.3 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Dayton
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, 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 Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Dayton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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