Dayton OH vs Grand Island NE — 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%
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Grand Island
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Grand Island
N/A
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Grand Island
N/A
White
Dayton
51.3%
Grand Island
N/A
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Grand Island
N/A
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Grand Island
N/A
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Grand Island
N/A
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 51.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 38.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Grand Island
N/A
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Grand Island
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $66,354 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Grand Island
$254,245
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $254,245 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Grand Island
1960
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 294 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1960 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Grand Island
41.5%
Grand Island +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Grand Island
17.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Grand Island
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Grand Island
14.8%
Grand Island +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 41.5% | Grand Island + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.6% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 14.4% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 17.5% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 19.1% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 14.8% | Grand Island + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 50.8°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 26.7 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Island scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.5%.
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