Dayton OH vs Mount Vernon NY — 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%
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Mount Vernon +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 72,528 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 41.9 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 51.3% | 16.2% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Mount Vernon +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 6.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 35.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $579,771 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 42.1% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Mount Vernon
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mount Vernon, NY | 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
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 38.6 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, 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 434 in Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
Compare More Cities
Dayton, OH vs New York, NYDayton, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dayton, OHDayton, OH vs Houston, TXDayton, OH vs Phoenix, AZDayton, OH vs Philadelphia, PA