Dayton OH vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 112,546 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 51.3% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 38.0% | 23.4% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Lansing
8.1%
Lansing +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $52,170 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $29,894 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 8.1% | Lansing + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Lansing
$166,132
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $166,132 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 39.9% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 19.6% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.4% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.8% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Dayton +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Dayton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, 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 471 in Lansing. Lansing has a lower unemployment rate at 8.1%, and Dayton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
Compare More Cities
Dayton, OH vs New York, NYDayton, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dayton, OHDayton, OH vs Houston, TXDayton, OH vs Phoenix, AZDayton, OH vs Philadelphia, PA