Dayton OH vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.6 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 51.3% | 48.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 7.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $251,035 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Dayton, OH | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
San Antonio
15.2%
San Antonio +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.2% | San Antonio + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 24.5% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.0% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 68.5°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Antonio + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 26.5 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, 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 442 in San Antonio. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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