Dayton OH vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 51.3% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 38.0% | 16.2% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 9.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $297,021 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1992 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 24.1 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Dayton, OH vs New York, NYDayton, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dayton, OHDayton, OH vs Houston, TXDayton, OH vs Phoenix, AZDayton, OH vs Philadelphia, PA