Dayton OH vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.7 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 51.3% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 38.0% | 27.5% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $435,807 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.3% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 61.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 46.2 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.1 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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