Dayton OH vs New York 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
New York
35.9%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.0 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 51.3% | 35.9% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 22.7% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
New York
7.7%
New York +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 7.7% | New York + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $816,078 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 32.8% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.9% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 55.4°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 46.6 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 44.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 New York. New York has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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