Dayton OH vs Rancho Cucamonga CA — 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%
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 174,693 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.9 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 21.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 51.3% | 44.0% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 8.3% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 15.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 38.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $109,511 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $45,626 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 8.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 37.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $791,317 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 63.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 30.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 10.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 16.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.8% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 10.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 34.6 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, 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 503 in Rancho Cucamonga. Rancho Cucamonga has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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