Dayton OH vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 51.3% | 44.0% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $310,519 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 45.7% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.1% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 60.6°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 50.8 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 24.4 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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