Dayton OH vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Dayton +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Dayton +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 149,827 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.7 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 1.5% | Dayton + |
| White | 51.3% | 14.5% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 0.3% | Dayton + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 2.2% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Dayton +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Jackson
$26,868
Jackson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Jackson
9.4%
Jackson +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Jackson
26.8%
Jackson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $43,238 | Dayton + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $26,868 | Jackson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $46,995 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 9.4% | Jackson + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 26.8% | Jackson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 28.6% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 48.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Dayton +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Dayton +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Jackson
18.1%
Jackson +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 46.0% | Dayton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 18.4% | Dayton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.8% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 18.1% | Jackson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 64.6°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 54.1 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Jackson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Jackson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dayton leads in median household income at $43,454, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Jackson has a lower unemployment rate at 9.4%, and Jackson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dayton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.9%.
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