Dayton OH vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 98,677 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.0 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 51.3% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 38.0% | 29.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $52,671 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $279,668 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Roanoke
41.9%
Roanoke +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 41.9% | Roanoke + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.7% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.7% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 56.0°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 44.5 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roanoke scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.9%.
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