Dayton OH vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 51.3% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 38.0% | 4.4% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $435,670 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2150 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.0% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.1% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 71.8°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 26.7 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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