Dayton OH vs Des Moines IA — 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%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Des Moines
34.6
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Des Moines
12.0%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.6 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 51.3% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 38.0% | 12.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $63,966 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $36,459 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,226 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 29.0% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Des Moines
$210,703
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $210,703 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 39.4% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 19.0% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 19.8% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.4% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Des Moines +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Des Moines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Des Moines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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