Dayton OH vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.7 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 51.3% | 28.7% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 21.4% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $664,939 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 28.8% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.0% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.3% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 40.3 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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