Dayton OH vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Renton
6.8%
Renton +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 75,721 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.0 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 51.3% | 48.7% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 2.2% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 6.8% | Renton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $765,686 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 45.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3409 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.1% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.4 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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