Dayton OH vs Detroit 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Detroit
35.1
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.1 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 5.9% | Detroit + |
| White | 51.3% | 11.7% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.6% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 8.0% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Dayton +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Dayton +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Dayton +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Dayton +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Dayton +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $39,575 | Dayton + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $24,029 | Dayton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 14.1% | Dayton + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 31.5% | Dayton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 17.6% | Dayton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 49.7% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Dayton +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Dayton +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Dayton +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Dayton +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 45.6% | Dayton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 19.2% | Dayton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 22.6% | Dayton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.6% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 21.8% | Dayton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 50.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Dayton +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Detroit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Detroit, 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 +
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 27.3 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dayton leads in median household income at $43,454, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Dayton has a lower unemployment rate at 9.7%, and Dayton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dayton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.9%.
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