Dayton OH vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.5 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 51.3% | 43.2% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $374,265 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 43.5% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.2% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 58.9°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 43.6 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 23.6 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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