Dayton OH vs Oklahoma City 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.0 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 51.3% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 38.0% | 13.4% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $37,109 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,929 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 34.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $207,961 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Oklahoma City
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Oklahoma City, 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%
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Oklahoma City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 38.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.0% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 14.9% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 23.6 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, 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 Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oklahoma City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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