Dayton OH vs Eugene OR — 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%
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Eugene
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Eugene
35.4
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Eugene
6.8%
Eugene +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Eugene
1.8%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Eugene
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 177,520 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.4 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 6.8% | Eugene + |
| White | 51.3% | 78.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 38.0% | 1.8% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 11.4% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Eugene
7.6%
Eugene +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $63,836 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $41,035 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,691 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 7.6% | Eugene + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 18.2% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 44.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Eugene
$478,489
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Eugene
47.6%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $478,489 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 47.6% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Eugene
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Eugene
3001
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3001 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Eugene
19.9%
Eugene +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Eugene
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 34.0% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 19.9% | Eugene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.3% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.1% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 11.9% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Eugene
46.1 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 52.5°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 46.1 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Eugene
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 19.9 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, 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 355 in Eugene. Eugene has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Eugene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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