Dayton OH vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 51.3% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 38.0% | 8.8% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $541,899 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 49.1% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 512 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3234 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.3% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 25.9% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 27.4 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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