Dayton OH vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
New Haven
30.6%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 132,893 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 51.3% | 36.8% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 30.6% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
New Haven
$53,771
New Haven +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
New Haven
7.7%
New Haven +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
New Haven
25.0%
New Haven +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $53,771 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $34,482 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 7.7% | New Haven + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 25.0% | New Haven + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $330,564 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 28.4% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 37.9% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.9% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.7% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 47.1 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
New Haven
23.0 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 23.0 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven leads in median household income at $53,771, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. New Haven has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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