Dayton OH vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 51.3% | 41.5% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 37.5% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Rochester
$46,628
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Rochester
26.6%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $46,628 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 7.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 26.6% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $241,627 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 37.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.3% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.6% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $46,628, 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 434 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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