Dayton OH vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.4 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 51.3% | 50.8% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 4.7% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Dayton +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 7.3% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 20.3% | Dayton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $447,353 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 19.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.0% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.5% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 63.7°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 30.5 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 503 in Modesto. Modesto has a lower unemployment rate at 7.3%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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