Dayton OH vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 115,415 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.9 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 51.3% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 38.0% | 5.3% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $441,257 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.4% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 44.6 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.7 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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