Dayton OH vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Lancaster
34.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 51.3% | 35.5% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 21.4% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Lancaster
$29,766
Lancaster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Dayton +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $29,766 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 7.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 20.1% | Dayton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $466,147 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 19.3% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.9% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.8% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 62.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 33.0 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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