Dayton OH vs Pasadena TX — 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 125,983 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 36.5 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 51.3% | 45.5% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 18.1% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Pasadena
$218,978
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $218,978 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Pasadena
39.1%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 39.1% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 32.1% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.1% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 36.1 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, 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 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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