Dayton OH vs High Point NC — 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
High Point
46.1%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
High Point
32.7%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 115,263 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.8 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| White | 51.3% | 46.1% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 32.7% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 12.3% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $61,228 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $34,492 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 33.9% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
High Point
$251,699
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $251,699 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
High Point
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
High Point
1999
| Metric | Dayton, OH | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
High Point
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 37.7% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.0% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.8% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 14.2% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
High Point
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 60.6°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 46.1 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | High Point + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
High Point
22.7 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.7 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, 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 398 in High Point. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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