Dayton OH vs Grand Rapids 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 51.3% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 38.0% | 17.9% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $33,953 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $309,801 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 36.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 14.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Dayton +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Grand Rapids, 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
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, 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 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Dayton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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