Dayton OH vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.3 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 51.3% | 25.0% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.7% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Memphis
8.3%
Memphis +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $51,211 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 8.3% | Memphis + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 22.5% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Memphis
$147,306
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $147,306 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 46.0% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 639 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2350 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Memphis
42.1%
Memphis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Memphis
17.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Memphis
20.7%
Memphis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Memphis
19.9%
Memphis +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 42.1% | Memphis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 20.7% | Memphis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.9% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 19.9% | Memphis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 60.9°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 54.9 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.9 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis leads in median household income at $51,211, 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 639 in Memphis. Memphis has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Memphis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.1%.
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