Dayton OH vs Garland TX — 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%
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Garland
34.7
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Garland
37.5%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Garland
15.3%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 245,298 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.7 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 51.3% | 37.5% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 15.3% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 45.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Garland
25.0%
Garland +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $74,717 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $31,477 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 12.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 25.0% | Garland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Garland
$289,605
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $289,605 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 61.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Garland
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Garland
2339
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Garland
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 34.7% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.0% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 22.6% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.1% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 13.1% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Garland
49.5 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 69.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 49.5 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Garland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 32.5 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, 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 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Dayton, OH vs New York, NYDayton, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dayton, OHDayton, OH vs Houston, TXDayton, OH vs Phoenix, AZDayton, OH vs Philadelphia, PA