Dayton OH vs Jonesboro AR — 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%

Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$225,577
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Dayton
136,741
Jonesboro
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Jonesboro
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Jonesboro
N/A
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Jonesboro
N/A
White
Dayton
51.3%
Jonesboro
N/A
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Jonesboro
N/A
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Jonesboro
N/A
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Jonesboro
N/A
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Jonesboro
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Jonesboro
N/A
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Jonesboro
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Jonesboro
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Jonesboro
N/A
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Jonesboro
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Jonesboro
N/A

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Jonesboro
$225,577
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Jonesboro
N/A

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Jonesboro
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Jonesboro
2507

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Jonesboro
39.2%
Jonesboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Jonesboro
11.4%
Jonesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Jonesboro
20.5%
Jonesboro +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Jonesboro
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Jonesboro
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Jonesboro
15.7%
Jonesboro +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Jonesboro
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Jonesboro
48.2 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Jonesboro
9.5 µg/m³
Jonesboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Jonesboro
55.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Jonesboro
N/A

Which City is Right for You?

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 660 in Jonesboro. Jonesboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jonesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Dayton & Jonesboro