Dayton OH vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 36.4 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 51.3% | 46.4% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $53,714 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Little Rock
$216,863
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $216,863 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 660 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2507 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 40.5% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.4% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 62.7°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 50.0 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Little Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, 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 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Little Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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