Dayton OH vs Evansville IN — 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%
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Evansville
116,441
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Evansville
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Evansville
38.1
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Dayton +
Evansville
3.9%
White
Dayton
51.3%
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Evansville
13.5%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Dayton +
Evansville
1.1%
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Evansville
4.0%
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Evansville
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 116,441 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.1 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 3.9% | Dayton + |
| White | 51.3% | 77.1% | Evansville + |
| Black | 38.0% | 13.5% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.1% | Dayton + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 4.0% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Evansville
$52,251
Evansville +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Evansville
$31,236
Evansville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Evansville
$58,697
Evansville +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Evansville
5.3%
Evansville +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Evansville
18.6%
Evansville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Evansville
22.3%
Evansville +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $52,251 | Evansville + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $31,236 | Evansville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,697 | Evansville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.3% | Evansville + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 18.6% | Evansville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 22.3% | Evansville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Evansville
$200,657
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Evansville
53.9%
Evansville +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $200,657 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 53.9% | Evansville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Evansville
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1719 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Evansville
40.0%
Evansville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Evansville
13.8%
Evansville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Evansville
19.7%
Evansville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Evansville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Evansville
18.6%
Evansville +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 40.0% | Evansville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.8% | Evansville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 19.7% | Evansville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.6% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.8% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 18.6% | Evansville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Evansville
60.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Evansville
46.8 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 60.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 46.8 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Evansville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Evansville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Evansville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.2 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Evansville leads in median household income at $52,251, 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 370 in Evansville. Evansville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Evansville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Evansville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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