Dayton OH vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.5 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 51.3% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 38.0% | 6.6% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $871,599 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 44.3% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3409 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 19.0% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 28.8 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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