Dayton OH vs Norman OK — 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%
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 128,714 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 7.2% | Norman + |
| White | 51.3% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 38.0% | 5.1% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 9.0% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,929 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $264,711 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 429 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2375 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 60.2°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 24.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, 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 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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