Dayton OH vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.7 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 51.3% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 38.0% | 1.6% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $438,754 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3001 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Salem
41.4%
Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 41.4% | Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.6% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.2% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 24.5 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, 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 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.4%.
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