Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Dayton
34.2
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 136,741 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.2 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 5.0% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 23.7% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.2% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 5.5% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $43,454 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $26,381 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,300 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 9.7% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 27.1% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 20.7% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 48.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1866 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Dallas +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 42.9% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.6% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 21.6% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 11.2% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 20.5% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 54.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 40.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Dallas +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Dayton
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Dallas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, 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 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Dallas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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