Dayton OH vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Lubbock
6.2%
Lubbock +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 6.2% | Lubbock + |
| White | 51.3% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 38.0% | 8.3% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.8% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $60,487 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $34,629 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 19.0% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Lubbock
$210,477
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $210,477 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 50.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Lubbock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.5% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 18.4% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Lubbock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, 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 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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