Dayton OH vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.4 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 6.6% | New Orleans + |
| White | 51.3% | 31.6% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $55,339 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $55,297 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 7.8% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 22.6% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $245,988 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 643 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2824 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
New Orleans
15.1%
New Orleans +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.1% | New Orleans + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 19.4% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 19.7% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 66.6 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 24.6 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, 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 643 in New Orleans. New Orleans has a lower unemployment rate at 7.8%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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