Dayton OH vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 51.3% | 40.7% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 13.3% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $429,449 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 41.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.7% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 27.4 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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 Philadelphia, PA