Dayton OH vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Dayton +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Dayton
51.3%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 124,865 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.4 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 4.8% | Dayton + |
| White | 51.3% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 38.0% | 1.6% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.1% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,074 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $534,732 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 23.6 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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