Dayton OH vs Kansas City MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Kansas City
25.8%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.7 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 8.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 51.3% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 38.0% | 25.8% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,527 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Kansas City
$253,319
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $253,319 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2418 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 38.5% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.7% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.6% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 54.6°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 38.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Kansas City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 23.4 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, 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 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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