Dayton OH vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.3 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 51.3% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 38.0% | 11.8% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $297,017 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1960 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 37.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.0% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 20.0% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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