Dayton OH vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 51.3% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 38.0% | 28.1% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,697 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Indianapolis
$232,133
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $232,133 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Indianapolis
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 41.8 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Indianapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Indianapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.8 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, 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 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Indianapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³).
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