Dayton OH vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.8 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 51.3% | 16.5% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Newark
$48,416
Newark +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Dayton +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Dayton +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Newark
24.7%
Newark +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Dayton +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $48,416 | Newark + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $25,509 | Dayton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 10.9% | Dayton + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 24.7% | Newark + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 17.4% | Dayton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $482,675 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 24.1% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Newark
18.2%
Newark +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 23.4% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 18.2% | Newark + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 54.9°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 46.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 35.9 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newark leads in median household income at $48,416, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Dayton has a lower unemployment rate at 9.7%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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