Dayton OH vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Dayton +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Dayton
51.3%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 113,714 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 40.7 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 4.5% | Dayton + |
| White | 51.3% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 38.0% | 19.8% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 3.4% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Springfield
6.7%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 6.7% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Springfield
$168,312
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $168,312 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Springfield
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Springfield
41.1%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 41.1% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.7% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, 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 344 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
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