Dayton OH vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Hartford
36.1%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 119,970 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 51.3% | 26.4% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 36.1% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.3% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Hartford
$45,300
Hartford +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Hartford
$27,319
Hartford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Dayton +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Hartford
25.5%
Hartford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Dayton +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $45,300 | Hartford + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $27,319 | Hartford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 10.6% | Dayton + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 25.5% | Hartford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 18.3% | Dayton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Hartford
$199,359
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $199,359 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 25.8% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Hartford
40.4%
Hartford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Hartford
15.8%
Hartford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Hartford
20.8%
Hartford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 40.4% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.8% | Hartford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 20.8% | Hartford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 20.3% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.3% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 45.9 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 24.4 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hartford leads in median household income at $45,300, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Dayton has a lower unemployment rate at 9.7%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hartford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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