Dayton OH vs San Diego CA — 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 36.0 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 51.3% | 50.4% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 5.7% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $1,006,261 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 47.6% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Dayton, OH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.9% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 61.6°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.9 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 503 in San Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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