Dayton OH vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.6 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 51.3% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 38.0% | 5.8% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $538,687 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3001 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.7% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 78.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 26.5 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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