Dayton OH vs Flint MI — 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Dayton +
Flint
2.9%
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Dayton +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 80,835 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 36.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 2.9% | Dayton + |
| White | 51.3% | 34.4% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 0.6% | Dayton + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 4.5% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Dayton +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Dayton +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Flint
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Dayton +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Dayton +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Dayton +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $36,194 | Dayton + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $20,799 | Dayton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 17.4% | Dayton + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 34.4% | Dayton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 13.1% | Dayton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Dayton +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Dayton +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Dayton +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Dayton +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 50.5% | Dayton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 19.3% | Dayton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 23.5% | Dayton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.7% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 25.3% | Dayton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Dayton +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Flint
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Dayton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.0 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dayton leads in median household income at $43,454, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Dayton has a lower unemployment rate at 9.7%, and Dayton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dayton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.9%.
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