Dayton OH vs El Paso TX — 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%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
El Paso
1.5%
El Paso +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 51.3% | 39.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 3.6% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.5% | El Paso + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
El Paso
$28,942
El Paso +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $58,734 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $28,942 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 6.2% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 18.4% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 27.5% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
El Paso
$235,994
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $235,994 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
El Paso
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
El Paso
2339
| Metric | Dayton, OH | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
El Paso
16.4%
El Paso +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
El Paso
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 33.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.4% | El Paso + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.2% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 27.9% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.5% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 64.3°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
El Paso
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
El Paso
25.1 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.1 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, 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 El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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