Dayton OH vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 135,887 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.8 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 51.3% | 24.8% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 17.1% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Elizabeth
$28,490
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Dayton +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $63,874 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $28,490 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 6.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 14.2% | Dayton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $531,592 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 25.4% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Elizabeth
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 28.1% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.9% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.0% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 29.3 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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