Dayton OH vs Dearborn MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Dearborn
107,846
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Dearborn
3.3%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Dearborn
2.0%
Dearborn +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Dearborn
3.0%
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 107,846 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 32.6 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 29.4% | Dearborn + |
| White | 51.3% | 88.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 38.0% | 3.3% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.0% | Dearborn + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 3.0% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Dearborn
$29,900
Dearborn +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Dearborn
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Dearborn
6.8%
Dearborn +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Dearborn
24.3%
Dearborn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $65,192 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $29,900 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 6.8% | Dearborn + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 24.3% | Dearborn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 34.3% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Dearborn
$248,262
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $248,262 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 68.2% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Dearborn
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Dearborn
21.5%
Dearborn +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Dearborn
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Dearborn
18.2%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 33.7% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.2% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 21.5% | Dearborn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.2% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.1% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 18.2% | Dearborn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 50.1°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 33.9 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Dayton +
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Dearborn
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Dayton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Dearborn
22.8 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.8 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, 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 471 in Dearborn. Dearborn has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Dayton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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