Dayton OH vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.1 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 51.3% | 36.1% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Philadelphia
8.4%
Philadelphia +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 8.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $233,814 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 57.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 48.5 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Philadelphia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 34.5 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, 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 319 in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has a lower unemployment rate at 8.4%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Dayton, OH vs New York, NYDayton, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dayton, OHDayton, OH vs Houston, TXDayton, OH vs Phoenix, AZDayton, OH vs San Antonio, TX