Dayton OH vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 51.3% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 38.0% | 2.7% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $580,126 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 46.8% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1931 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.3% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.0% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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