Dayton OH vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 51.3% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 38.0% | 22.5% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 4.2% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $240,538 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 47.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Pittsburgh
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Pittsburgh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Pittsburgh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.0 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, 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 Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pittsburgh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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