Dayton OH vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.5 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 51.3% | 49.2% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 11.9% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Las Vegas
7.2%
Las Vegas +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Las Vegas
27.3%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 7.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 27.3% | Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $426,069 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 460 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2417 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Las Vegas
19.5%
Las Vegas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 19.5% | Las Vegas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 17.0% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.4% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.6% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 67.4°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 27.7 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Las Vegas has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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