Dayton OH vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Johnson City
35.1
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Dayton +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Dayton
51.3%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 71,455 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.1 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 4.6% | Dayton + |
| White | 51.3% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 38.0% | 6.3% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.0% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 5.6% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $55,429 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,097 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $294,254 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 49.8% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 639 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2350 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.9% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.3% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 17.4% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Johnson City, TN | 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
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, 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 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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