Dayton OH vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 154,776 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 51.3% | 44.0% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 20.4% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Kansas City
$28,059
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Dayton +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $59,183 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $28,059 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 20.2% | Dayton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Kansas City
$202,558
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $202,558 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 449 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2174 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Kansas City
41.2%
Kansas City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Kansas City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Kansas City
18.3%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 41.2% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 18.4% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.3% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 18.3% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 23.7 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, 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 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.2%.
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