Dayton OH vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Spokane
6.1%
Spokane +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 6.1% | Spokane + |
| White | 51.3% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 38.0% | 2.7% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 7.8% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $400,636 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Spokane, 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%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.5% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.6 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, 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 Spokane. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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