Dayton OH vs Elgin IL — 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%
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 114,106 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 36.3 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 51.3% | 45.4% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 5.2% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $36,037 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 6.3% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 26.0% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $333,920 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Elgin
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 16.8% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 18.1% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Elgin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 30.4 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, 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 344 in Elgin. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Elgin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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